19

The following weeks dawned with the familiar routine of dropping Sarah off at the hospital gates, Zakariah's gaze lingering on her form as she disappeared into the bustling corridors. Alone in the quiet confines of his car, he found himself at a loss, unsure of how to fill the hours until her shift's end. With a resigned sigh, he decided to occupy himself with a task he had long neglected—the hospital's financial records.

As he pored over the meticulously kept books, Zakariah's mind wandered, drifting back to the absence of his beloved "kitten." It had been too long since she had been away from his side, her absence leaving a palpable void in his life. Though he trusted his people to keep a watchful eye on her, he couldn't shake the gnawing sense of unease that gnawed at his insides.

In the days since their reunion, Zakariah had grown accustomed to having Sarah by his side—a constant presence that brought light and warmth into his otherwise solitary existence. Her absence now felt l