Chapter 5

Gabriella turned her face away.

For once, she didn't reach out to comfort Ariana like she usually would.

Ariana froze.

Then, she spotted me sitting by the window. Her eyes sparkled.

"Colton." She struggled to sit up.

She winced as a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, making her gasp.

I sat there, watching her quietly. I didn't move closer.

The silence in the room was suffocating.

Ariana's eyes were rimmed with tears. "You didn't leave."

"Yeah." I nodded.

"There are still things we need to talk about," I said.

She seemed to realize what was coming. Her face drained…