d my eyes open, a dull ache throbbing in my head. A white ceiling, the steady beep of a

e of relief washed over me, so po

're awake," a c

my chart. He was young, with kind, dark eyes and a re

ere hypotensive episode, likely brought on by extreme s

body felt heavy. "Thank

easy. Your family was notified

h a bitter pang. They were p

ew, the curtain to my cubicle was slightly ajar, and I cou

t the girl in bed

He sounded so worried," the second nurse replied. "He said she's been ver

, Scarlett. Liam said she's sweet as pie but so fragile. He's a real saint

manipulative; he was actively painting me as a villain to the entire world, all to make his and Scarlett' s deception smoother.

, but it was a clean pain. A pain that

moments later to check my vitals

better, dea

Did... did anyone dro

concerned when you didn't show up or answer your phone. She was the one who suggested we check your mother's address when the paramedics couldn't find any ID on you. A nice y

, simple gesture, but after the cruelty of my family, it felt like an incredible act of kindness.

de me. Forget them. Forget

ching body, I sat up and pul

ou're not cleared for dischar

ger than I expected. "I have to go

ad to get to Professor Chen. I had to formally accept that

reached the automatic doors of the hospital exit, they slid open, and Liam Peterson was

other told me what happened..."

ld have run into his ar

I sidestepped him without breaking my stride and walked out i

ehind, his voice laced with sho

away from him, of leaving him standing there in stunned