AVA
The hospital room felt smaller with every passing hour. I lay there staring at the ceiling tiles, counting the tiny perforations like they might hold some answer. Had I been too harsh with Daniel? The way I had turned away from him, refusing to even look at him… part of me wondered if the slap I gave him the other day were too much. He had been there through the worst of it, standing beside me when no one else would. But then the memory of that necklace hit again—I couldn’t pretend it didn’t hurt.
I needed to move, to do something with the restless energy trapped inside this bed. “Nurse?” I called out, my voice weaker than I liked. One of the younger nurses appeared quickly, efficient and kind-eyed. “Could you help me sit up properly? And maybe adjust these pillows? My back is aching
