Vanessa’s POV

For a second, the room seemed to hold its breath.

Vanessa exhaled slowly.

Not from pain, not from relief.

Just from the heightened focus that always followed the execution of a plan she had crafted down to the smallest detail.

Her body reclined against the hospital bed, her hair stuck slightly to her temples, but her eyes were sharp, cold and aware of everything moving around her. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung heavy in the air, the bright surgical lights still angled ...