When I woke up, the sterile scent of a hospital filled my nose.
Again
.
It hadn't been that long since the last time I was here.
My body ached, a dull pain radiating from my side, but I was alive.
Somehow, I had survived.
But as I stared up at the ceiling, the reality of my situation settled in. I had been shot, nearly killed, and yet the only thing on my mind wasn't the danger I had just escaped. It was that name.
My real family
.
"You're awake?"
I blinked, disoriented, and turned toward the voice. Lina sat casually in a chair beside the bed, her legs crossed as she beamed from ear to ear. The brightness in her eyes was almost overwhelming, a stark contrast to the dull throb in my head.
"Thankfully, the bullet didn't hit any major organs, and our doctors managed to stitch you up without complications," she said, her tone almost too casual for the situation.
"
Our
Lina chuckled, her eyes widening slightly as she gave a little shrug. "You're only asking about him now?" She laughed again, a light, almost teasing sound. "My brother was the one who found you, after Sinclair called that you were off the radar. It wasn't really that hard finding you, considering it was Cole who led the search. And don't worry, my brother is fine. He's like the devil himself—he won't die from a bullet graze. Actually, he wanted to visit you, but he's been holding back."
"Why?" I asked, confused. "What do you mean, holding back?"
"Victor told him not to stress you out. He was worried that if he came in, you'd get upset and reopen your wound," she said softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "He might seem cold and indifferent, but deep down, he's simple in his own way, and maybe a little clueless when it comes to feelings. But right now . . . he's so worried about you that he hasn't left his spot outside that door since morning. He's been waiting there, making sure you're okay, even if he's too stubborn to show it."
Worried? Cole? The idea was almost laughable, and yet . . . there was a flicker of something in my chest, something warm and unfamiliar. I tried to push it away.
I shook my head, pulling my hand away from Lina's gentle grasp. "It doesn't matter. I'm not the real heir of the Rosette family. There's no longer any need for that much concern."
Lina's smile faded, her eyes narrowing as she shook her head firmly. "I'm hurt, Eve. Is that really how you see us? We don't care if you're a Rosette or not. Who we want to get close to isn't the words in your last name. It's you—just you."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt something stir inside me, a small crack in the icy wall I had built around my heart.
However, I couldn't afford to let it grow. I didn't want to get close to anyone—not Cole, not Lina, not anyone in his family. What I wanted was freedom, to break away from all of them. But with Sullivan breathing down my neck, that dream seemed impossible now.
Lina's voice broke the silence again, softer this time. "What are you going to do now? If you need a place to stay, you can stay in one of my condos. It's safer that way."
I opened my mouth to refuse, but before I could, a new voice filled the room.
"She won't be needing that. She'll be staying with me from now on."
I froze, my heart pounding as Sinclair strode into the room, Victor trailing behind him like a shadow. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, was Cole. His eyes met mine, and for a split second, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.
"I'm glad you're okay," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the pounding in my ears.
The room spun, my breath hitching in my throat as I looked away, desperately trying to bury the surge of emotions rising inside me. I fought against it, tried to shove the feeling deep down where it couldn't touch me—but I couldn't deny it. No matter how much I wanted to. A part of me was relieved. Relieved that he was alright.