Alicia watched as the nurses moved with practiced efficiency—one checking her temperature while another administered her medication—before they quietly left the ward.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving a palpable silence in its wake. She took in her surroundings with a critical eye. The steady, rhythmic beeping of the machines echoed like a metronome of her heart, each beep a reminder of her fragile state. The drip attached to her hand pulsed softly, a constant, unyielding tether to the sterile reality around her. The antiseptic scent in the air mingled with the faint odor of medicine, creating an atmosphere that felt both clinical and oppressive.

Alicia’s gaze wandered over every detail, from the harsh fluorescent lights to the patterned fabric of the quilt draped across her body. With a deliberate motion, she shoved the quilt aside, revealing bare legs that swung confidently over the side of the bed. A smirk played on her lips, a silent promise of retribution. In that moment, she wasn’t merely a patient—she was a force reborn, ready to dismantle the world that had once sought to confine her.

Barefoot, she stepped onto the cold tiles, a chill shooting up her spine. Reaching the glass wall, she pulled the curtain aside. The streetlights below illuminated the road, cars gliding by in a mechanical rhythm.

I’m really back, she thought, a sly smile curling on her lips. Back to take everyone with me... to hell.

“Alicia!”

She froze at the thrilled voice behind her. Rose. Alicia scoffed inwardly before turning. Acting like she cares now.

Rose rushed forward, throwing her arms around her. “Oh, my God!” Rose gasped, pulling back to cup Alicia’s face, tears glistening in her eyes. “I thought I’d lost you. I was so worried.” Her voice broke.

For a moment, Alicia froze. Did she really wait anxiously for me to wake up?

But the memory of betrayal hit her like a slap. Alicia’s lips tightened. I’m not the girl who trusts blindly anymore. I’m not the girl who feels pity just because someone cries. They made me this way, and I’ll embrace it.

“My girl,” Rose whispered, pulling back once more. When their eyes met, Alicia’s heart twisted with an emotion she couldn’t name. Was it betrayal? Or something else entirely? As Rose’s tears fell, Alicia’s unease deepened. Will they ever stop pretending? “I’m sorry, Alicia. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through,” Rose cried, clutching Alicia’s hands tightly.

Alicia wanted to believe her words, but the sting of betrayal still burned. If Rose wants to act, It’s fine.

“Mom,” Alicia said coolly, pulling back. “What happened? The doctors won’t tell me. Why am I here?”

Rose’s expression faltered, pain flashing across her face. “You… don’t remember?” Her voice trembled as she searched Alicia’s eyes. “Nothing at all?”

Rose’s words were calculated, aimed at revealing any sign of Alicia’s awareness. Since entering the ward, Rose had observed every flicker of Alicia’s gaze, every twitch of her fingers, looking for a crack in the facade that would expose the truth.

Meanwhile, Alicia squinted, startled by the worry in her mother’s eyes. What a joke.

“It’s fine if you don’t,” Rose said, wiping her tears and guiding Alicia back to the bed. “Once you’re better, I’ll tell you everything. Just rest for now. Okay?”

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Before Alicia could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them.

“Ali..!”

The sudden voice made both Alicia and Rose look toward the door. Alena stood there, frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the Rose.

This witch, Alena thought bitterly, her lips twisting in disdain.

“Oh, Alena’s here!” Rose muttered, a nervous smile tugging at her lips, though inwardly, she smirked.

What a joke. Alena sneered inwardly. Disgusting. She had always believed only Kate could make her blood boil, but she had been wrong. Rose’s sickeningly innocent façade churned her stomach, igniting a surge of irritation that felt almost unbearable.

You can do this, Alena. I can’t lose it here. Not now.

Alena cleared her throat, flexing her fingers, her emotions teetering between rage and restraint. Rose noticed the sudden change in Alena’s demeanor, her brows furrowing briefly before she masked her concern.

When Alena’s gaze shifted to Alicia, everything seemed to fade. Her throat tightened, her heart raced, and her breath came shallow. I thought I was ready for this, Alena mused bitterly.

Wow, Alena... she exclaimed in awe. Are you really feeling this way about Alicia? The sister you’ve always wanted to get rid of?

Alena wanted to turn and leave, a wave of guilt and hesitation surging through her.

Alicia frowned, watching Alena silently standing at the door. As the seconds ticked by, Alicia’s irritation mounted. She wanted to lunge at Alena, to claw at her face. But something in Alena’s expression made her pause. She squinted, her heart racing inexplicably.

What’s wrong with Alena? she wondered, noticing the uncharacteristic emotions flickering in her sister’s eyes.

This must be my imagination, Alicia frowned. Alena never breaks down—not even when the world around her falls apart.

Alena cleared her throat and slowly approached Alicia.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Alicia arched a brow. “You mean me?” she said mockingly, gesturing to herself.

Alena’s resolve wavered under the weight of Alicia’s words, but she pressed on. She had determined to rebuild her family, defeat Rose, and reclaim what belonged to the Whites.

“I know I’ve been a terrible sister. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but… I’m sorry. For everything. It’s my fault you’re here. I thought I wanted you gone, but when you fell into that coma…” Her voice cracked, and she looked away.

“I realized I never wanted you dead. I want you to live.”

With her hand hidden beneath the quilt, Alicia’s nails dug into the bed. How can she be so perfect? Alicia’s heart swelled with irritation.

Alena’s lips quivered, and in her eyes, Alicia saw guilt.

Alicia’s heart began to pound, her hands damp with sweat, and her breath hot, as if her blood had rushed to her face.

It would have been better if she’d just walked in and slapped me, yelled, or screamed, Alicia thought with a bitter smirk.

Alicia’s breath quickened. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the sister she’d once loved. But the memory of Alena’s betrayal—the photo with Jeff scattered across the floor—came crashing back.

Rose squirmed, her gaze darting between them. She struggled to process what was unfolding before her. Wait! Is Alena serious right now?

“I should give you two a moment,” she mumbled, stepping toward the door.

As soon as Rose left, silence thickened the air, so heavy it felt like it could be sliced, and the ward grew suffocating as if a fire had been ignited within its walls.

“What are you doing?” Alicia asked, her voice cold and sharp.

Alicia couldn’t pinpoint what she was feeling—anger? No, it was something deeper. Pain? She wondered bitterly. No, she scoffed inwardly. Why would I feel that? I’m stronger than that now. But her mind seemed to have a mind of its own, spinning out of control.

Why do they have to pretend to me? Why do I deserve this from them? Why could they be so cruel to her? She hated it. Why does their pretense even matter to her? Why does she care? I’m dragging all of them down with me anyway. Remember, Alicia, you’re not weak anymore. She wished she could believe her own words, wished she could shout them loud enough to drown out the chaos in her mind.

“I know you might find it…” Alena began, but a nurse rushed in, her expression panicked. “Miss White,” she said breathlessly.

Both sisters looked away from each other and exhaled quietly as if trying to draw out the suffocating weight in their chests. Then Alena turned to the nurse.

“It’s Mr White,” the nurse said, her voice trembling.

“He’s in surgery.”

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