Aria’s POV
When I opened my eyes again, the sharp stench of disinfectant hit my nose.
The white light on the hospital ceiling made my head throb, but the scorching heat that had nearly burned me alive was gone, and my mind was gradually clearing.
The moment I closed my eyes, I saw Evangeline’s hypocritical face at the banquet—wearing a gentle smile while malice hid in the wineglass in her hand.
Thinking of what she had done to me, a cold fury churned in my chest.
I propped myself up and got out of bed. My steps were unsteady, yet carried a resolve born of being pushed to the edge of a cliff. I couldn’t let them keep controlling me.
I couldn’t stay here anymore.
Hospitals had never been places that made me feel safe. I tore off the last monitoring patch on my hand and pushed the door
