Adrianna found herself back in the sterile, white walls of the hospital, her mind clouded with fragments of what had happened. The faint beeping of monitors and the shuffle of nurses echoed around her. Alaric stood at the edge of the room, arms crossed, his face unreadable.
"She's stable," one of the nurses assured him, adjusting Adrianna's IV. "But we're running a full series of tests to be sure. No cause for alarm yet."
Alaric gave a curt nod, his eyes fixed on Adrianna. He had always exuded control and confidence, but tonight, an edge of worry cracked through his composed exterior.
Adrianna stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open. The bright lights made her squint as she slowly took in her surroundings. Her heart sank as the realization hit her—back in the hospital again.
"I'm fine," she murmured weakly, though her voice lacked conviction. "You didn't have to—"
