Julian's POV
The noise around me faded into the background. The nurses gasping, the redhead crying—it all became a distant hum. Nothing else mattered except Alyssa's throat under my hand and her pulse beating frantically against my palm. Her face was turning dark purple. Her mouth moved, but only a weak choking sound came out.
"Apologize," I said, my voice rough and low. I loosened my grip slightly. "For what you did to her. For what you said."
The hate in her eyes was gone now, replaced by pure terror. She managed a tiny nod. I let go.
She fell back against the pillows, gasping and coughing hard. Her hands went straight to her bruised neck. "I'm... sorry," she croaked out. Each word sounded painful. "I didn't... take her. I swear. I had nothing to do with it."
The redhead sniffled fr
