Ruby's POV

The morning air felt cool against my skin as I stepped out of the hospital. The fever was finally gone, and my head was clear again, but my chest still carried a dull ache.

I took a deep breath, trying to let it all out with the cold air. It didn’t work.

Rebecca was waiting outside, leaning against her car with sunglasses perched on her hair. She waved when she saw me. “Finally free,” she said with a grin.

I managed a small smile. “Yeah.”

We drove into town and spent the ...