Ella's POV
My hands trembled slightly as I opened the first aid kit, but I forced myself to steady them. I had seen blood before. This was different because it was him, because the wound was deep, angry, and still bleeding slowly despite the pressure he had applied earlier.
"Alcohol first," Vincent said calmly.
I soaked the gauze with alcohol and cleaned the skin around the wound. He did not flinch. His jaw stayed clenched, eyes fixed on the wall ahead as if this were nothing more than an inconvenience.
I swallowed and reached for the tweezers, wiping them down thoroughly with alcohol like he instructed. My heart pounded as I leaned closer, my breath shallow.
"Do you see the edge of the bullet?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Good. Grip it firmly. If you hesitate, it will hurt more."
