<
Yeah, so what if I spent an entire autumn night freezing outside?
How did my body end up this weak?
For three years, I’ve never had a single day where I was warm or full.
I worked myself to the bone every day, taking on any job I could to earn scraps of money.
And when I got home, I had to face my father–a man who could lash out and beat me without warning.
If I got sick, I couldn’t afford medicine, and I definitely couldn’t risk missing work because of it.
That’s how I ended up like this–permanently worn down, broken.
Fevers have become a normal part of my life.
But losing consciousness like this? That’s new.
I went to the hospital.
Sitting on a plastic chair in the hallway, I stared at the report in my hands for what felt like hours.
Reality always seems to hit the hardest when I’m already at my weakest.
Finally, I forced myself to stand and leave.
As I stepped toward the exit, the elevator doors opened, and Cassidy walked out, holding Lucas Hart’s arm.
Her prosthetic leg was so realistic it was indistinguishable from the other.
Her face radiated happiness, her smile glowing like sunshine.
Lucas looked down at her with a tenderness so soft it felt like a knife slicing through me.
“Nora?”
Cassidy’s voice was filled with surprise.
“What are you doing here? Are you sick?”
She sounded genuinely concerned, but I knew better than to believe it.
Hearing her words, Lucas turned his icy gaze toward me.
The warmth in his eyes froze over in an instant.
I instinctively lowered my head, avoiding his stare.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to run into you. I–I’ll leave right now.”
My words spilled out in a panicked rush, barely coherent.
I didn’t even wall for a response–I fled.
Ran as fast as my legs would carry me.
I was terrified that if I stayed one second longer, Lucas would decide to send me back to my father.
Back to that living hell.
This hospital? I wouldn’t be coming here again.
When I reached the hospital entrance, I saw Sean leaning casually against a car, arms crossed.
What was he doing here?
D
9:48 AM
<
This hospital? I wouldn’t be coming here again.
When I reached the hospital entrance, I saw Sean leaning casually against a car, arms crossed.
What was he doing here?
Why did it matter?
It’s not like he was waiting for me.
I turned my head and headed for the bus stop without a second thought.
“Nora.”
Sean stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
I blinked at him, confused.
“Get in the car,” he said flatly.
Was he… waiting for me?
But why? Since when had Sean ever been so kind?
