Riley POV
The hospital room felt too bright for the conversation waiting inside it.
The soft beeping of machines couldn’t hide the heaviness suffocating the air. Riley sat close to Alex, still shaken from watching her sister carried out of a burning building. Mason lingered near the door, hands shoved into his pockets, jaw tight, eyes flicking protectively between them.
David entered quietly and closed the door behind him.
But the moment Riley saw the look on his face, her stomach knotted.
This wasn’t just worry.
This was dread.
He pulled a chair closer, rubbing his hands together like he wasn’t sure where to begin.
“Girls…” he exhaled slowly. “What happened tonight wasn’t random.”
The hairs on Riley’s arms rose.
Alex’s voice was small, fragile. “Dad… what are you saying?”
David
