CELINE’s P O V

My eyes were watery and swollen shut as I shifted uncomfortably on a thin, uncomfortable mattress and heard the distant sound of a monitor beeping.

My right arm had the sensation that something was hooked to it. Something stiff and unbending. I gave it a little pull and felt something cool, like a tube along my fingers. The next thing I felt was the distinct sensation of someone's fingers intertwining with mine.

I swallowed harshly, my throat ...