I finish splashing the freezing water on my face and take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. The threat from Santino’s mother still rings in my ears like a physical blow. When I finally unlock the bathroom door and step back into the hospital suite.

The cold, lethal woman from five minutes ago is gone. In her place sits the warm, smiling woman I thought I knew. She looks up at me with such kindness it makes my skin crawl.

"Hailey, dear, you look so tired," she says, her voice as ...