Stefan barely had time to think his instincts kicked in as he grabbed Vera, steadying her as they ran. A few feet away, Rafael held Mara close to his chest, shielding her as they fled into the night. He could feel her heartbeat against him, rapid and frightened, and something inside him shifted.
He had been wrong about her.
At first, all he had seen was a woman he assumed was reckless and self-serving. But she had risked everything to get the vaccines something none of them had thought possible. The weight of his earlier judgment pressed against him like an iron fist. Maybe he had been too quick to condemn her.
Gunfire rang out behind them. They had no time for second thoughts. "Keep moving!" Rafael ordered, his voice sharp with urgency.
By the time they reached the airport, everyone was on edge. The check-in process felt endless, every glance over their shoulders a silent question...were they still being followed? No one could breathe easy until they were finally on the plane.
