Dr. James Alden stood frozen as his eyes landed on the two figures in the corner.
Nora and Noah Vale.
His heart skipped a beat.
The Vale family.
Even in the crumbling world, their name carried weight—dangerous weight. And if the twins were here, it wasn't by accident.
"Is this… some kind of mission from the Vale family?"
Dr. James's voice was quiet, but the tension behind his words was thick.
Silence.
Noah's expression was unreadable, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. Nora sat beside Selene, her hand lightly brushing against her unconscious friend's arm.
Neither of them spoke.
That told James everything he needed to know.
"Right. I won't ask."
His throat felt dry as he swallowed.
If the twins weren't answering, it meant the situation was beyond anything he wanted to get tangled in.
Focus on the patient.
James turned his attention back to Selene.
At first glance, she looked fine.
