Orion immediately sensed something was wrong. "What is it?"

"It's... it's nothing," Lemira gasped, her head throbbing with violent intensity. "Just a little dizzy. Probably the smoke."

She winced, fighting through the sharp, pulsating ache in her temples.

Orion's expression darkened. He looked up at the pilot. "Get us to the hospital. Now."

Lemira wanted to tell him it wasn't necessary, that she was fine, but the darkness had already dragged her under. She lost consciousness entirely.

Feeling her go limp, Orion tightened his grip, using every ounce of his strength to keep her from plummeting into the night. The violent strain tore open his wounded arm. Fresh blood soaked through his white dress shirt, turning the fabric a deep, terrifying crimson.

But Orion couldn't have cared less. His entire focus was locked on the girl in his

arms.

The helicopter touched down on the helipad of the Everhart Medical Center, where an entire elite medical team was already on standby.

Orion placed Lemira gently onto the gurney. "She passed out. She complained of head pain."

Director Harrison immediately took charge. "Get her to the ER!"

Orion grabbed the director's shoulder, his voice trembling slightly. "She's terrified of fire. She likely inhaled toxic fumes, and she has severe psychological trauma triggered by situations like this."

"Understood. We'll stabilize her physical condition first and then address the trauma," the director replied swiftly. He paused, eyeing Orion's blood-soaked sleeve. "Your stitches ripped open again. Get that treated immediately before you cause permanent nerve damage."

The director hurried after the gurney, leaving Orion no room to argue.

Orion finally glanced down at his arm, the blood steadily dripping from his cuff.

His secretary rushed over. "Mr. Everhart, please, let's get you to a treatment room." "I'm fine."

"Ms. Langston won't be out for a while. If she wakes up and finds out you ignored your injuries for her, she'll be consumed with guilt."

Orion didn't argue further, though he refused to leave the waiting area. A nurse was quickly dispatched to clean and re-stitch the gash right there in the hallway.

Orion sat on the cold bench outside the emergency room, every passing second feeling like an eternity.

Not long after, Thaddeus Draven burst through the sliding doors, looking completely disheveled. He was wearing an oversized coat thrown hastily over silk pajamasis hair sticking up in every direction.

"Is Lemon okay?" Thaddeus demanded, out of breath. "Caleb called and told me to get here immediately."

Orion leaned back against the wall, his arm freshly bandaged. "No external injuries. We're waiting on the scans."

"If she fainted, it was probably just panic. Don't assume the worst," Thaddeus said, though he collapsed onto the bench looking just as terrified.

Within minutes, the elevator chimed, and the Langston brothers flooded into the corridor.

Rowan Langston marched straight to the front of the pack, his eyes locking onto Orion. "How is my sister?"

Orion met his gaze with absolute zero warmth. "No physical burns. She collapsed from the stress. They're still examining her."

Caspian clutched his chest in relief. "Thank God. As long as she's not burned."

Rowan's brow remained tightly knitted. "No external injuries doesn't mean she's fine. Smoke inhalation is highly toxic. If it's severe, it causes irreversible lung damage

Thaddeus scoffed. "Lemon isn't an idiot. She definitely knew how to protect herself."

Rowan ignored him. "I'm speaking from a medical perspective. No one wants her to be safe more than I do."

Before anyone could argue, the emergency room doors swung open.

Director Harrison stepped out. "Her vitals are stable, but there is significant soot and toxin buildup in her respiratory tract She requires an immediate pulmonary lavage to clear her lungs."

Rowan stepped forward without hesitation. "I'm transferring her out of here." "Absolutely not."

Orion stood up, his predatory gaze locking onto Rowan with lethal intent.