Desiree adjusted the pillow behind her back for the fifth time in under ten minutes.

It still didn’t help.

Her body felt like it wasn’t her own anymore. It was heavy, tender in unfamiliar places, pulling in strange directions from the inside. Every breath came with a faint pressure, every movement was slow and uncomfortable, no matter how careful she was.

“I’ve told you time without number that I’m fine,” she muttered, exasperation entering into her voice as she fluffed the ...