A conclusion.

Rose's POV

I squinted in the face of the blinding lights, taking time to adjust as I slowly returned to reality.

Beeping filled my ears, closer than ever. The sting of disinfectant woke me up even further.

‘Where was I?’ I faintly wondered as I drifted out of dreamland. I tried sitting up when suddenly a pair of warm hands circled me.

“Wait." All vestiges of sleep erased at his voice.

His words and our unfinished discussion before my fainting still rang clearly in my mind.

‘Of course,’ I thought. He was the one who no doubt brought me here.

I remained silent while he helped me sit up, avoiding eye contact. Tingles grew from his penetrating stare, but I ignored it.

“Where am I?" I asked, breaking the tense silence.

“You're in the hospital." He said, confirming my thoughts.

A slight twinge of relief filled me that I wasn't back in the mansion, no matter how much my heart lurched for it. This was more neutral ground.

Those thoughts went away once I remembered why I was in the hospital.