Riley’s pov
I finally found my voice, but my words came out shaky and unsure. “What... what are you doing here?” I stammered, trying to mask the anger rising in my voice . I wanted to sound strong, to demand answers, but the shock of seeing Xavier Lockwood standing in my mother’s hospital room threw me off balance. My fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing. Why was he here, of all places?
Xavier opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, shaking my head. “No,” I snapped, my voice gaining a little more strength. “Not here. This isn’t the place for whatever this madness is.”
I turned my back on him, walking over to where my mother lay. Her face was pale, fragile under the hospital's dim lighting. She looked so small lying there, wrapped up in thin sheets. Gently, I tucked the blan
