Chapter 43: Unexpected Visitor      

When I came to, the blinding light seared through my vision, forcing me to shut my eyes again.

My head throbbed, and the overpowering scent of antiseptic clung to the air, nauseating me.

Slowly, I opened my eyes again, blinking away the haze until Sullivan's face came into focus. He was seated beside me, his expression stern, with Sophia next to him, her cold gaze fixed on me. And there, just behind them, was Sophie—the smirk on her lips unmistakable, like she was savoring my downfall.

"W-what happened?" I croaked, my voice barely audible, but my words caught in my dry throat.

"You passed out," Sophia said, her tone chillingly devoid of concern. She didn't even pretend to care. Her eyes flicked to Sullivan before she spoke again, her voice cutting through the sterile silence like a knife. "Eve, what's going on? Why were you with Father? What are you doing with him?"

Father? Old Man Sinclair?