It took twenty minutes before they reached the hospital. The moment the car stopped, Jade rushed inside to call for help. Within seconds, nurses and doctors hurried out with a stretcher and took Tara straight to the ICU.
While the doctors worked on her, Cain turned to Jade.
"Call Kahan. Tell him she's in the hospital."
Jade nodded and stepped aside to make the call.
Within thirty minutes, Kahan and Tiana arrived—along with a red-haired girl.
Jade looked at her, confused. "And you are?"
The girl met his gaze, her eyes sharp with concern. "My name is Kalon, but you can call me K.C. I'm one of Tara's closest friends… her best friend." Her eyes shifted briefly to Cain before returning to Jade, wary.
Kalon stepped forward. "Care to explain how she ended up here?"
"She was kidnapped," Jade replied.
"What?" Kalon froze. "Tara? Kidnapped? What happened?"
Jade explained everything—from the taxi to the escape. By the time he finished, Kalon, Kahan, and Tiana had all sunk back into their seats, stunned.
"So… how is she?" Tiana asked weakly.
"She's still in the ICU," Jade said quietly.
The entire time, Cain said nothing. He just stared at the ICU doors, his expression unreadable.
Hours passed before the doctor finally came out. Everyone stood up immediately.
"How is she?" Kalon asked.
The doctor adjusted his glasses. "She suffered a severe blow to the head. Physically, she's stable. But we don't yet know the impact on her memory or mental state. We'll have to wait until she wakes up."
"Is there anything we need to do?" Tiana asked.
"We'll move her to a private room for observation," the doctor replied. "But you should prepare yourselves… her condition may not be the same when she wakes."
"What do you mean?" Kahan asked, frowning.
"She has a concussion. The effects will only be clear once she regains consciousness."
"When will she wake up?"
It was the first time Cain had spoken.
The doctor turned to him, noticing the dried blood on his clothes. "And you are—"
"That's not what I asked," Cain interrupted coldly.
The doctor stiffened. "She may wake up within a few hours."
Without another word, he quickly walked away.
"Who is he?" Kalon whispered to Tiana.
"The Woods brothers," Tiana replied.
"Let's go see Tara," Kahan said, heading toward her room.
Cain, however, turned in the opposite direction.
"Where are you going?" Jade asked.
"Home."
"You're not waiting for her to wake up?"
Cain didn't answer. He simply walked away.
In the private room, the others waited anxiously.
After hours of silence, Tara's fingers twitched. Her eyelids fluttered open.
Kahan immediately stood and moved closer. "Hey, Tee… are you okay?"
Tara looked at him—but confusion filled her eyes. Suddenly, she winced.
"Aah—my head…" she cried, clutching it.
"What's wrong?" Tiana panicked.
"Oh my God—we need a doctor!" K.C. rushed out.
At that exact moment, the door opened—Cain stepped in.
He took in the chaotic scene. "What happened?"
"She just woke up, looked at Kahan, and started screaming," Tiana said, her voice shaking.
"Where's the doctor?" Jade added, looking around helplessly.
Cain's expression darkened. Everyone was panicking—but no one was helping.
He took a slow breath, calming himself, then walked to Tara's bedside.
Sitting beside her, he gently pulled her into an embrace.
"Calm down," he whispered. "You're safe. No one will hurt you. Don't try to think—just breathe."
Tara froze for a moment.
Then suddenly, she clung to him tightly—as if her life depended on it.
Everyone in the room went silent.
Even Cain was caught off guard, but he quickly steadied himself and continued to comfort her, gently patting her back.
The door burst open as the doctor, a nurse, and K.C. rushed in.
"May I examine her?" the doctor asked.
Cain nodded, attempting to loosen Tara's grip—but she refused to let go.
The doctor gave a small nod of understanding and proceeded to check her while she remained in Cain's arms.
After a moment, he spoke. "Miss, do you remember anything before you lost consciousness?"
Tara slowly loosened her hold and looked at him.
"I… I was in a taxi," she said softly. "I jumped out… and then…" She hesitated, then turned her gaze to Cain. "He saved me."
The doctor scribbled notes. "Do you remember these people?" he asked, gesturing to the others.
Tara looked at them—Kahan, Tiana, Kalon, Jade.
Nothing.
She tried harder.
Pain exploded in her head.
"Aaah—my head!" she cried again.
Cain immediately pulled her back into his arms. "Don't force it," he said gently. "If you can't remember, don't try."
The doctor observed quietly before speaking.
"It appears to be temporary memory loss," he said. "To confirm, we'll need to run further tests immediately."
Cain looked down at Tara. "Do you want to do it now?"
Tara met his eyes.
For reasons she couldn't explain, she felt safe with him—like he was the only solid thing in a world that suddenly made no sense.
She nodded.
Deep down, she didn't remember anyone else.
But she remembered him.