Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 448

"Phoebe?" Colin approached me, concerned, and gently touched my forehead.

I suddenly looked up, snapping back to reality. "I'm fine..."

"No health issues, everything's okay," the doctor reassured us. "Also, the results from the health department's check came through, all clear."

Stella breathed a sigh of relief. "We really dodged a bullet there..."

"Health department?" I frowned.

"The headmaster of that special school we found, the one who was terrified out of his mind, he had HIV. And among those of us who were locked up together, one person had HIV and three others had contagious diseases."

Stella clarified.

"Annora, it turns out, was an HIV carrier. Her husband, Jaxon, led a reckless life, engaging in risky behaviors both before and after their marriage, in addition to being abusive and an alcoholic... She got infected by Jaxon."

I took a deep breath. In such circumstances, the risk of infection was indeed high, especially for those injured by her.

"Stella! Did you get checked?" I instinctively grabbed Stella's wrist, one of those who had been injured by Annora, potential blood contact...

"I did, I'm clear, don't worry," Stella quickly reassured me, smiling. "Guess I'm just lucky, should probably buy a lottery ticket..."

I paused, not knowing what to say.

Before finding out about Annora and the others being HIV positive, they wouldn't have thought to take post-exposure prophylaxis, and by the time they found out, it might have been too late.

"Sir, Melody is HIV positive and is currently in a state of breakdown. Dexter is with her," Eric informed us as we were about to leave the hospital, whispering to Colin.

I numbly sat on the edge of the bed.

Melody contracted HIV...