Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Diara slowly opened her eyes, the world around her spinning in a nauseating blur. A sharp, throbbing pain sliced through her skull, making her wince and squeeze her eyes shut again. 

For a moment, she couldn't place where she was. The ceiling above her was too white, too sterile. 

The scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils, mingling with the faint hum of machinery. Then, like a dam bursting, the memories came rushing back.

She was in the hospital.

Her mind drifted back to the confrontation with her aunt, Stephanie. The seething words, the tension that had crackled like a live wire between them. 

She had finally snapped, after years of swallowing her anger, and fought back. But then Scarlet, her venomous cousin, had struck her in the head with a brush. 

The shock of the blow had sent her spiraling into darkness, and now she was here, lying on an unfamiliar bed with no idea how much time had passed.