Chapter 301: Mia, youâ¦
Ryan first glanced over at the hospitalâs main entrance to check if the police were still there, then looked curiously at the staff elevator.
Doctors and nurses in white coats occasionally stepped out of the elevator, and it seemed like the police hadnât searched this area yet. There was definitely a chance they could get upstairs from here.
The problem, though, was that the security guards nearby didnât look like they were just for show. The odds of sneaking past them werenât great.
If they could get their hands on an employee ID or a uniform, maybe they could blend in.
But since Mia had already said she had a plan, Ryan figured she must have her own way of handling things.
This wasnât the first time heâd been in a situation like this with her. He was used to letting Mia take the lead, and honestly, he wasnât in the mood to try and play hero. If there was an easier way, why not take it?
âMia, if Iâm not mistaken, theyâre not just going to let us waltz in, right?â
âOf course not. But come on, who do you think I am? Just watch.â
Mia flashed Ryan a confident grin and made a little gesture before pulling out her pink iPhone 16. If Ryan remembered correctly, that model wasnât even supposed to be released until later this year.
She didnât seem to care that Ryan was watching her. She casually dialed a number right in front of him.
âHello? Dr. Lee?â
âYeah, itâs me, Mia. I need a favor.â
âUh-huh, those meds worked great, but Iâm out now. Thatâs why Iâm here to see you.â
Ryan had spent enough time with Mia to know she was a social genius, but hearing her sweet, almost childlike voice still sent a shiver down his spine.
She was a master at this, no doubt about it. She didnât need to prove it anymore.
Still, as Ryan eavesdropped on the conversation, he couldnât help but feel confused. Did Mia just mention something about being sick? And medication?
âYeah, Iâm at the back entrance of the hospital. Just send someone to get me.â
âThe main entrance is locked down by the cops. Theyâre such a pain, seriously.â
Mia glanced down at her freshly done nails, looking a bit dissatisfied. She turned and leaned against Ryan, rubbing her shoulder against him as the call ended.
So this was Miaâs plan. Ryan had expected something more⦠mob-like. Maybe blackmailing a hospital exec or something to get them inside.
But this? This was surprisingly ordinary. He hadnât expected theyâd just walk in as patients.
Not that it mattered how they got in. Ryanâs attention had been on Mia ever since that phone call. He couldnât shake what sheâd said.
Mia was sick? What kind of illness? Was it serious?
Mia noticed Ryanâs gaze and tilted her head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. But her eyes⦠there was something off about them, something sad.
Their main goal today was to find that girl with leukemia. They needed to gather information to prepare for what was coming next.
At the same time, Ryan couldnât stop worrying about Alice and Bella being alone together. He needed to wrap this up quickly and get back to them.
There was already so much weighing on his shoulders. If he had any sense left, heâd focus on the most urgent matters and deal with them first.
The situation outside the hospital had made it clear that things were serious. The crowd really saw him as a monster. Theyâd probably jump at the chance to turn him in.
Logically, he shouldnât be getting involved in anything else right now.
But after hearing Miaâs conversation, those words kept echoing in his mind, like seeds of doubt taking root. Dark thoughts started bubbling up.
âMia, youâ¦â
Ryan hesitated, but he had to ask. He was just now realizing how little he actually knew about Mia.
Sure, they were familiar with each other, but unlike with Alice, he couldnât say he knew much about Mia beyond her name and what she looked like.
No one had ever really paid attention to Mia, which was probably why sheâd been so bold when they first met.
If Mia was hiding something, even Alice might not know about it.
What if she really was sick? What if it was something serious?
âThe person coming to get us is here, Ryan. Letâs go.â
Mia acted like she hadnât heard Ryanâs half-asked question. Her big eyes were focused on the staff elevator. She waved at a familiar-looking nurse and then turned to Ryan.
âDonât take your mask off when we go in. Everyone in the hospital is wearing one, so no one will notice you.â
âThe person youâre looking for is in room 1602 on the 16th floor. Iâve got something to take care of first, but Iâll meet you in about ten minutes.â
âSomething to take care of?â
Ryan looked into Miaâs eyes. He had a pretty good idea of what she was going to do, but he didnât have the guts to call her out on it.
Miaâs expression was firm. She wasnât giving him a chance to ask any more questions. She nodded her cute little chin and pulled Ryan toward the staff elevator.
The nurse who had come to meet them immediately walked over when she saw Mia. Ryan noticed Mia make a small gesture with her fingers, and whatever the nurse had been about to say, she swallowed it.
From the way the nurse looked at Mia, Ryan could tell something was off. It was the look doctors give their patientsâfull of pity and sympathyâ¦
The elevator ascended slowly, and when it reached the 16th floor, it let Ryan off. Mia waved energetically as the elevator continued upward. Ryan smiled and waved back, but as soon as the doors closed, his expression turned serious.
The ride had been quiet. Aside from Ryan and Mia, there was only the nurse. Ryan had several chances to ask her about it.
Mia was sick. Ryan was almost certain of it now. But despite that, he hadnât found the courage to ask her directly before the elevator doors closed.
He knew all too well what asking would mean. It would mean getting involved. It would mean that whatever happened next would be tied to him. He wouldnât be a bystander anymore. When the time came, heâd have to make a choice.
And right now, Ryan wasnât ready for that.
Miaâs illness could be something minor. Ryan didnât want to jump to conclusions based on a few vague hints. But he couldnât shake the image of the floor numbers on the elevator panel.
Above the 16th floor, the only departments left were Radiology and Oncology.
Which one was Mia headed to?