Chapter 28

Syria’s POV

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

My eyelashes fluttered a few times as I blinked away the heaviness. There was a strange warmth brushing against my scalp.

Someone was gently stroking my hair.

The sensation made me freeze. My chest tightened as my vision slowly cleared, but everything around me was still blurry, like a dream I couldn't wake up from.

I turned my head slightly, scanning the room.

Wait. This was… my room?

Confusion hit me like a punch to the gut.

How did I get here?

The last thing I remembered was trying to escape… with Grandma. My heart pounded faster as I sat up, only to freeze again when I heard a calm voice beside me.

“You’re finally awake.”

I knew that voice.

I hated that voice.

I turned my head slowly, and there he was. My uncle, sitting in a chair right beside my bed, looking like he had all the time in the world. He was the one touching my hair while I slept.

My eyes widened in shock, and I recoiled instantly. My whole body stiffened as the memory of every