Chapter 3

Devon and Jake Riley entered the hospital room, their faces bright with smiles, even though it was already evening. Jake handed me a takeout box.

"Mom, Aunt Cleo packed this for you, so you don’t—"

Before he could finish, his eyes widened in shock. "Mom, why is your wound bleeding so badly?"

Devon rushed over, his face falling as he saw my clothes drenched in blood. Tears welled up in his eyes, full of concern.

"I checked before I left..." He trailed off, probably remembering that he hadn’t even glanced at me then.

Jake quickly fetched the doctor to re-bandage…