Brad lay on the hospital bed staring at the ceiling, trying to detach himself from the chaos packed into the room. The space already felt too small, and with his entire family crammed into it, every breath tasted like a mix of cologne, perfume, and disinfectant. His head pounded steadily, the dull ache blooming behind his eyes and spreading like a warning.
Rose leaned closer to him, her voice lowering as if she were revealing state secrets. Her tone had that sharp pitch he remembered well, the one that always announced a long complaint was about to begin.
"You have been away so long," Rose said in a hushed but dramatic voice. "You have no idea what has happened. You need to see the truth about that girl. Do not let Amelia fool you like she fooled your grandfather."
