ARIA'S POV My eyes open slowly. They feel heavy, sticky, as if they’ve been closed for far longer than a normal night’s sleep. My mouth is dry. When I try to shift, my muscles hurt and feel stiff. For some seconds, I don’t know where I am. Then I hear the beep of monitor and faint smell of antiseptic. Hospital. I'm in a hospital. Why? Before I can process further, voices rush in. “She’s awake—oh my God, Regine’s awake!” Daisy is the first one I see clearly. Her eyes are swollen and red, face bare of makeup. She launches herself at the bed and wraps her arms around me, careful but desperate. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you,” she whispers against my hair, voice cracking. “I’m so sorry, Aria.” The rest of the room moves at once. Antoine is already leaning in too close. Aline smacks his arm. “Why are you hugging her so tightly? Do you want to compress her lungs?” “What’s your problem? Leave me alone,” Antoine shoots back, but he loosens his hold anyway. Uncle Mike st
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