Chapter 5

I slowly opened my eyes.

"Emily?" my mom cried out in joy.

A faint smile tugged at my lips as I mumbled, "Mom."

My dad's body shook with excitement. "Emily can speak now. Call the doctor."

"I'm Ethan Miles, an overseas-trained neurologist," Ethan said.

Ethan carefully checked my responses, his face serious. "Her cerebral cortex is badly damaged. While she has regained some awareness, she—"

He paused and continued, "She may be stuck at the mental stage of a six- or seven-year-old child."

A flicker of delight flashed in Olivia's eyes, but she quickly hid it behind a worried look.…