Isabella's eyes fluttered open slowly, her head throbbing as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to keep out the harsh sunlight. She blinked a few times, her vision clearing.
Her body ached all over, especially her head, where she had hit the ground when Elena pushed her out of the car. She struggled to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her side. Her mind was a haze of confusion and fragments of memories—Elena’s betrayal, the violent tumble onto the road, and then… darkness.
As she sat up, the door to the room creaked open, and Alma entered, her expression softening with relief when she saw Isabella awake.
“Thank goodness, you’re awake,” Alma said, her voice filled with genuine concern. She hurried over to Isabella
