Xavier's POV
Though I had seen Ashlyn, I couldn’t chase after her right away. Lily was clinging to me, her sobs shaking her entire body, and I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.
Not when she needed someone to hold her together. Not when her world was falling apart.
When the stretcher was wheeled out of the emergency room, Lily’s sister lay motionless, her face pale and peaceful. Lily broke away from me and rushed to her side, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch her sister’s face.
“No, please,” she begged, her voice cracking. “Wake up, please! You can’t leave me like this!” She collapsed onto the stretcher, hugging her sister tightly, as if her embrace could somehow bring her back.
The hospital staff stood by respectfully, giving Lily a moment before gently guiding her a
