Elena’s POV
"Because you told me to play."
The words hung in the quiet room like a physical blow.
My heart felt as though it had stopped beating entirely. The breath trapped in my throat turned to ice, my mind reeling as I stared down into his bloodshot, vulnerable eyes. He played through a separated shoulder and a burning fever.... because of my note.
A terrifying surge of emotion rushed through me, threatening to drown out every defense I had spent days building. Scared of how deeply his words were cutting through my armor, I pulled myself together and forced a sharp, defensive edge into my voice.
"Well.... that was very stupid of you," I muttered quietly, looking away from his intensity.
I made to stand up from the edge of the mattress, but before my boots could hit the floor, Eva
