Elijah wheeled Sophia down the hospital hallway.
The fluorescent lights were too bright. The air was too cold. Sophia's throat still felt raw, but her mind was clear now.
Clear enough to feel everything.
Anger. Shame. A deep exhaustion that had lasted for years.
Elijah stopped in front of a door and pushed it open.
Sophia's heart clenched.
Alice lay in the hospital bed, pale under the blanket. A tube ran from her arm. Monitors beeped softly.
At the foot of the bed, Lily stood with arms crossed, face tight with rage.
Johnson stood beside her, suit wrinkled, jaw clenched.
Two police officers stood near the wall, watching.
The moment Lily saw Sophia, she lunged forward.
“Finally!" Lily screamed. “You're here to ruin us!"
One officer stepped in and held her back. “Ma'am, stay where
