Bella’s POV
The beeping of machines was the first thing I heard.
It was slow, steady, annoying.
My body felt heavy, like someone had poured cement into my veins. My head pounded, and when I tried to move, pain shot through my shoulder like a burning knife. I sucked in a sharp breath, eyes fluttering open.
White walls. The sterile smell of disinfectant. The dim glow of the overhead lights.
A hospital. I was in a hospital.
I was alive.
A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips. Why? Why couldn’t the moon goddess just let me die? It would’ve been easier. No more pain. No more Lucian. No more pretending.
I turned my head slightly, wincing at the dull ache, and that’s when I saw him.
Lucian.
Standing at the foot of my bed, hands stuffed into his pockets. His face was unreadable, but his j
