"Have we met before?" Mia asked, squinting.
Emily paused near the monitor. Her lips curled into a faint smile.
"Not sure," she said. "But we're about to find out."
Christian shifted in his seat, positioning himself subtly between Mia and the nurse.
Mia's breath caught. The air in the room changed. It grew colder, heavier, and thick with warning.
And for the first time since waking in that hospital bed, Mia felt it in her bones—cold and certain. She was not safe. Not even close.
Mia’s breath hitched as her eyes flicked toward Christian.
He gave a slow, deliberate nod—play along.
She caught the silent cue and turned back to the nurse with a bright, nervous smile just as Emily leaned in to inspect her dressing.
Her touch was light but calculated, asking casual questions about Mia’s p
