Chapter 6

Nina roused in the hospital, the sharp, sterile scent of antiseptic tingling in her nostrils as she blinked open her eyes.

Above her loomed a stark white ceiling, and beside her bed sat Sophie. Her friend's eyes were swollen red and puffy, streaked with dried tears, like she'd spent the entire night weeping.

"You're awake!" Sophie lurched forward, her voice cracking with raw relief. "You scared me half to death! That storage room was freezing, and you were bleeding so much. If I hadn't gone to check on you—

"Where's the baby?" Nina cut her off, her voice rough and…