ISCHEMIA**

Irene woke slowly, as though she were rising from somewhere thick and dark. Her body seemed too heavy to respond right away.

She lay in one of the guest rooms, legs stretched out, face twisted in pain even after the medication.

“She’s awake,” Rarlat said, glancing at her sister with visible relief.

“It hurts…” Irene whispered, voice strained.

Flávia approached her almost immediately.

“Irene, stay calm. The doctor is here.”

The doctor performed the basics: checked her ...