ADRIANA'S POV
The first thing I noticed was the sterile scent of antiseptic. It clung to my senses, sharp and artificial, a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed beneath me. My head throbbed, a dull, insistent pain that pulsed at the base of my skull. My body felt sluggish, as if I had been sedated. I struggled to open my eyes, blinking against the harsh glow of fluorescent lights.
Where was I?
The rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor filled my ears, followed by the distant murmur of voices outside the room. The white walls, the IV in my arm—it all clicked into place. I was in a hospital.
A groggy exhale left my lips as I shifted slightly, my muscles aching with the effort. A shadow moved beside me and I flinched slightly, not expecting the sudden movement.
"You're awake."
The voice was familiar, rough around the edges, yet laced with something softer—concern.
