“Paulina," Richard said quietly, adjusting his hospital bed's incline, “tell me again what happened that day. The accident."
Paulina fluffed his pillow instead of answering. “It was just a stupid convoy collision, Dad. Trucks, rain, chaos. You don't need to think about it."
“But I do think about it," he said. “All of it."
She forced a smile. “Don't stress. Your vitals spike every time you start asking questions."
Richard studied her face—the perfect tilt of her chin, the calm cadence of her voice. Everything rehearsed. Polished. Familiar.
But something was missing.
Something soft.
“How long have we known the Cho girl?" he asked casually.
Paulina blinked. “Aileen? I don't know. Not long. Why?"
“She saved my life."
“I'm aware."
“And I can't stop wondering why she vanished from eve
