Chapter 85
Kayla started to snap, but the sharp words jammed in her throat, leaving her oddly restless.
65 vouchers
She dragged a hand through her hair and said flatly, her voice edged with ice, “Don’t think that just because you stood up for me today, I owe you anything. I’m not grateful, and you’re not getting a single thing out of me.”
Payton bit down on his lip. His reply was so soft it almost broke. “I don’t need your thanks. I wanted to.”
The way he said it, quiet, resigned, almost wounded, only made him look more pitiful.
Kayla’s irritation spiked. She thought, ‘What is he doing? A moment ago, he was fierce enough to glare down at Davon, and now he’s standing here like a kicked puppy. Is this some kind of act, trying to make me feel guilty?‘
She exhaled hard, forcing down the twist of emotions. “Fine. Then leave. I’ve got other things to deal with.”
The rumor of her pregnancy was already burning through campus like wildfire. Since she’d reported it to the police, she had no intention of hanging around while the truth was sorted out.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t take the whispers, but with so many eyes watching her every move, she knew even her focus in class would falter.
And besides, there was something else she needed to confirm.
Without another glance at Payton, she strode off toward the gates.
He stood rooted where she’d left him, watching the sweep of her figure until it vanished into the distance. Only then did he lower his gaze, lashes shadowing the flicker of something complicated in his eyes.
The hospital’s sterile corridors hummed with the buzz of fluorescent lights. After a few wrong turns, Kayla finally found the security office.
The door was half–open, a faint blue glow spilling out into the hall.
She leaned closer. Inside, two guards, one middle–aged, one barely more than a boy, sat slouched over their phones, boredom written across their faces.
Kayla’s mind clicked into motion. She slipped inside, the door creaking softly behind her.
The younger guard, Adam Cook, shot to his feet. “Hey, who are you? This is restricted. Out.”
Kayla smiled sweetly, tilting her head, her voice soft as silk. “Sorry to intrude. I lost something really important here when I came in for treatment a few days ago. Could you please let me check the footage?”
Her wide eyes shimmered with manufactured urgency, her tone warm enough to melt.
Adam’s stiffness faltered at once. The way she said it, gentle, almost pleading, itched at something inside him.
Her anxious expression cracked his resolve, and though he tried to sound firm, his voice had softened. “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but… hospital policy says only the police can review footage. My hands are tied.”
Kayla’s lips trembled, her lashes fluttering. She let her voice break delicately, as though she were on the verge of tears. “You’re so kind. Please, just this once? I’m really desperate.”
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Chapter 85
He was moments from giving in when a sharp smack landed on the back of his head.
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The old guard John Hill’s voice cut through, hard as gravel. “Pathetic. A pretty face bats her lashes, and you’re ready to toss every rule we’ve got? Pull yourself together.”
Color flared on Adam’s cheeks. He scratched at the back of his neck, mumbling in protest, “I just thought… she looks worried. It can’t hurt to let her take a quick look…”
But the words dwindled as his confidence shrank.
Another smack silenced him. “No harm? You’ve already been fined twice this month for bending rules. Learn something for
once.
Turning, John fixed Kayla with a cold, flat stare. “Miss, rules are rules. Security footage isn’t for public viewing. Leave.”
Kayla’s heart sank. She’d almost had him. Still, she recognized authority when she saw it.
She let her face crumple, eyes glassy with unshed tears, her voice cracking with practiced desperation. “Please, sir, I’m begging you. I’m not here to cause trouble. I just need to find what I lost…”
But John cut her off with iron in his tone. “No. Stop wasting our time.”
And with that, he shoved her back across the threshold and slammed the door shut with a hollow bang.
Kayla stood staring at the closed door, helpless but unwilling to give up after coming all this way.
She rubbed her chin, mind already spinning for another way in.
Just then, a hospital worker rolled past with a cart stacked with lunch boxes. He set two down on the table outside the door and called out casually, “Lunch time!”
Then he wheeled the cart away.
From inside came a gruff voice. “Lunch is here. Kid, go grab it.”
Kayla’s brows shot up and her eyes lit with sudden inspiration. She darted forward, snatched one of the boxes, and flipped it open. A rich, mouthwatering aroma burst out.
The roast beef gleamed with a savory sheen, making her stomach clench in longing. Kayla muttered under her breath, “Sorry about this.”
Then, she popped a piece straight into her mouth.
The sizzling, juicy beef widened her eyes in delight. Her face glowed with satisfaction, surprise written all over it.
She didn’t expect the hospital food to taste this good. The beef was tender and flavorful, melting on her tongue without a trace of grease. If there was one flaw, it was that the portion was far too small.
Her cheeks puffed like a hamster sneaking treats, she quickly resealed the box and put it back, then ducked into a corner to wait.
Moments later, Adam came out, picked up the box, and carried it inside with a grin. “Finally, roast beef day. I’ve been waiting forever.”
But a heartbeat later, John’s voice rumbled with irritation. “What the hell is this? They said roast beef, and all we get is a smear of gravy and mashed potatoes? This is a joke.”
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Chapter 83
Yeah, it’s just potatoes. Doesn’t even fill you up.” Adam grumbled.
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John slammed his chair back and stood, fuming. “Come on. Let’s take this to the cafeteria. We work our asses off every day. and this is how they treat us? Not a chance.”
Adam hesitated. “Shouldn’t one of us stay in the monitoring room?”
“No.” John snapped. “You’re coming with me. Otherwise, they’ll say I made it up. It’ll be fine. We won’t be gone long.”
And with that, the two stormed off.
Kayla watched their retreating backs disappear down the hall. A sly smile tugged at her lips.
She slipped out from her hiding spot and slid silently into the now–empty surveillance room.
Rows upon rows of flickering screens filled her vision, a dizzying wall of images that made her skin crawl.
She forced herself to focus, recalling the exact time and the angle from the photograph.
Her fingers flew over the controls as her eyes darted between the footage and the doorway, heart hammering, afraid the guards would return at any moment.
Finally, she located the camera across from the OB–GYN clinic and rewound to the right day.
Within minutes, her suspicion was confirmed. A familiar figure appeared on the screen.
A cold smile touched Kayla’s lips. She gave a short, scornful laugh. “Knew it was her.”
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