Elliot instinctively let go of Iris' arm and took a half step forward.
"Wren, what are you..."
Before he could finish, Iris was already moving, stepping ahead of him and looping her arm through mine with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Wren, what brings you to the hospital? You look so pale. Are you feeling all right?"
The comment made Elliot look at me properly for the first time. His gaze lingered on my hollow cheeks and the dark circles under my eyes, and a flicker of guilt passed through his expression. Almost without thinking, he put a little distance between himself and Iris.
I gently pulled my arm free and kept my voice steady.
"Whether I'm all right or not is no longer any of your concern."
The color drained from Iris' face.
"Wren, I'm sorry. I never meant to hur
