Chapter 35: Beyond the Waiting Room
The hospital's air was sterile and tense. The group stepped into the brightly lit lobby, their expressions anxious but hopeful. Lisa led the way to the front desk.
"We're here to see a patient… Jake's father," she said quietly to the nurse.
The nurse raised a brow. "Are you family?"
Alex stepped forward. "No, but—he's our friend. We came a long way to see him."
The nurse hesitated. "I'm sorry. The patient is in a restricted care unit. Only family members are allowed. I'll need confirmation."
Before anyone could argue, a voice came from behind them.
"Who are you guys?"
They turned.
A tall man stood there, around his late twenties. Sharp eyes, neatly combed hair, a formal jacket over casual clothes. His face looked vaguely like Jake's—just colder.
"What do you want with my father?" he asked bluntly.
Lisa stepped forward. "Are you… Marcus?"
The man nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Alex nodded respectfully. "We're Jake's friends. We came to check on him—and your family."
Alya added gently, "He hasn't responded to our messages. We were worried."
Marcus looked at them for a long moment. His shoulders dropped in a tired sigh.
"He's… not himself right now," Marcus muttered. "This has been hard on him."
Lisa stepped closer. "Please… let him know we're here. We don't need to stay long. Just a minute, maybe."
Marcus glanced toward the elevator, hesitating.
Then he pulled out his phone.
"I'll call him. Wait here."
As Marcus stepped aside and raised the phone to his ear, the group remained silent.
Alya whispered to Alex, "He looks like Jake… but colder."
Alex replied softly, "That's probably how Jake used to see him…"
The tension in the room was thick as they waited for Jake to pick up.