MARIA POV
The day had been long and emotionally draining. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing, unable to relax or fall asleep. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of my mother in the hospital haunted me. The doctor’s voice echoed in my head, telling me she might not wake up. My heart pounded in my chest, hard and fast, like it was trying to break free from my ribcage. I tried to take deep breaths, but it felt like no matter how hard I inhaled, the air wasn’t enough. I wasn’t dying, but I was spiraling into a panic attack.
My breath caught in my throat, my heart thudding violently in my chest as if it were trying to escape. I took a deep breath, but it wasn’t enough. I couldn’t get enough air. I wasn’t dying—I knew that—but it sure as hell felt like I was. Panic clawe
