Chapter 15: A Truth I Didn’t Expect

Ella’s

I opened my eyes slowly, the brightness around me forcing me to squint. Everything was white—the walls, the sheets, the light above me.

The sharp smell of medicine filled my nose, and the air felt too clean, too still. My whole body ached. Every shift of muscle sent pain rushing through me, a reminder of Lora’s fists slamming into my ribs, the sting of her scissors tearing through my hair.

I tried to push myself up, but my arms trembled, and ...