The silence that followed was thick. Sandra's hands curled into fists at her sides, her nostrils flaring. For a moment, Rachel thought she might argue again, but then Sandra exhaled sharply, snapping her gaze toward Rachel with a glare that could have cut glass.
"Fine," Sandra said through clenched teeth. "You're lucky he spoke for you. But hear me now—" She took a deliberate step closer, her voice low, cold, and venomous. "If anything like this happens again, if you let him so much as stumble under your watch, you won't walk away so easily. You were hired to care for him, so do it properly."
Rachel held her ground, though her pulse raced. She refused to let Sandra see her fear. "I already am."
Sandra's eyes narrowed further, but she didn't reply. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked to the door, her heels striking the floor in clipped, angry beats.
