Chapter 4

The air in the room smelled sharp and sterile with cold disinfectant.

When I finally blinked my eyes open, the snow-white hospital ceiling met my gaze.

A dull, lingering ache in my lower abdomen reminded me of how close I had just come to death.

On the bedside table, my phone lay quietly.

The hospital door pushed open, shattering the heavy silence.

Gavin stepped inside carrying an expensive fruit basket.

Right behind him were Madeline and Lucas.

Madeline carried a carefully arranged expression of concern, the kind of performance meant to convince anyone watching that she was here out of…