Cindy woke on the third day after the incident.
Her eyes found the hospital ceiling. Her vision slowly sharpened, landing on Ryan, sitting by her bedside with bloodshot, exhausted eyes.
"Ryan..."
Her voice came out hoarse and broken, barely recognizable.
Ryan took her hand immediately, his palm warm and steady.
"You're awake. Are you hurting anywhere?"
She shook her head. Her gaze swept the hospital room. Empty.
Ryan's Adam's apple bobbed heavily. He kept his voice as gentle as he could.
"Cindy... Jasper didn't make it."
Cindy blinked once.
She simply let out a faint, hollow "Mm."
No tears. No anguish. Not a single trace of extra emotion on her face.
She simply closed her eyes again and turned her head to the other side.
On the fourth day, Cole traveled all the way from Northb
