Chapter 3

Nina sat by the bed, eyes red and swollen. She clutched my arm and started to cry.

“Lena, let’s promise not to fight anymore, okay? I can’t stand seeing you in the hospital again.”

Ethan walked in from the hallway. When he saw I was awake, the crease between his brows softened slightly—but the first thing out of his mouth was a rebuke:

“Lena, is hurting yourself really how you throw a tantrum?”

“You’re an adult. Can you please use your head before you do something?”

He must have realized he’d gone too far. He cleared his throat and reached out automatically to smooth the mess of hair on my forehead.

I turned my head away.