Ruby's POV

John stood there, the hospital lights casting sharp shadows across his face. Up close, the change in him was even clearer. The warmth he once wore like a mask was gone, replaced by something colder and sinister.

He held up two boxes of medicine slightly, as if that alone proved his sincerity.

“What happened?” he asked, lowering his voice. “Why are you here?”

I didn’t stand up. I turned my attention back to my foster mother.

“That’s none of your business,” I said ...