Chapter 192 The final step

Three days crawled by in a haze of painkillers and forced rest. The doctor finally deemed John fit for discharge, a development that filled him with a mixture of relief and apprehension. Relief at escaping the sterile confines of the hospital, apprehension about facing the world, and most importantly, Olivia. He sat on the edge of the bed, wincing as he swung his injured arm gingerly. The throbbing pain had dulled to a dull ache, but the memory of the bullet wound was a constant reminder of his vulnerability. Olivia, perched on a chair beside him, scrolled through her phone, a frown creasing her brow. "Almost done with that paperwork?" John asked, his voice hoarse from disuse. She looked up, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features before she offered a tight smile. "Nearly. They're just awfully bureaucratic here, wouldn't you agree?" John grunted noncommittally. Bureaucracy wasn't exactly his top concern at the moment. "So, what's the plan?" he asked, his voice barel