EVANDER

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TWO WEEKS LATER

BEEP!

The shrill beep of the heart monitor jolts me out of a half-sleep.

My neck snaps upright, heart hammering, already braced for the worst.

A nurse is leaning over Reyna.

My fists unclench slowly, but I can’t shake the sweat slicking my palms.

“She’s stable,” the nurse whispers, like I might break if she says it any louder.

Then she leaves, heels squeaking down the hall.

I'm left alone with the steady beep of machines, white ...