The world swayed for a moment. Bella stilled completely, her whines turning into a pained growl deep in the back of my mind.
"We need to go. Now," he added, already rising to his feet.
I nodded hurriedly, following him out the door. The staff exchanged confused glances, whispering among themselves about our abrupt departure. I barely heard them over the racing of my heart.
The drive back to the medical facility was tense. Silence filled the car, thick and suffocating. My thoughts raced uncontrollably. Guilt clawed at me with every mile that passed.
"I shouldn’t have left her," I whispered suddenly, breaking the silence. My voice cracked under the weight of unspoken shame. "I should’ve stayed. What was I thinking?"
Aaron didn’t respond immediately, but I felt his gaze flick toward
