Elena’s POV

I didn’t mean to overhear anything.

I had only gone out to find Dr. Li—to ask about my injury report, to confirm whether there was anything incomplete that might still be useful later. The corridor outside the inpatient wing was quiet, washed in the dull yellow of wall lamps and the faint smell of disinfectant.

Autumn leaves had blown in from somewhere and gathered by the potted plants near the corner, brittle and dry beneath my feet.

I stopped when I heard voices.

Dr. ...