Sophia woke to white ceilings and the smell of disinfectant.
For a second she thought it was a dream. Then she tried to sit up.
Nothing happened.
Her body didn't respond. Her arms felt heavy like stone. Her legs felt far away. She tried to open her mouth.
No sound came out.
Sophia's eyes widened.
Panic hit hard and fast. She tried again—move, speak, scream.
Nothing.
All she could do was breathe and blink.
A machine beeped softly beside her bed. She heard footsteps in the hallway, then voices outside her door.
Lily's voice.
Sophia's heart slammed.
Lily said, “Doctor, you have to help us. She agreed."
A man answered, cautious. “Ma'am, I can't proceed without her consent. She needs to sign the surgical form herself."
Johnson's voice came next, tight with impatience. “She already
