(Sarah POV)

Alex is pacing around Lily's hospital room like a caged animal, his controlled facade finally cracking.

"How did she contact him?" he snarls under his breath. "She's been unconscious half the time, and we've been watching her constantly."

I keep my voice low, conscious of the nurses passing by in the hallway. "Not unconscious enough, apparently. She's been more alert the past few days, asking more questions."

"I've been increasing the mercury doses. She should be getting weaker, not stronger."

"Maybe she's building up a tolerance. Or maybe she's not taking all her pills." I glance at Lily, who's still pretending to sleep. "Either way, Tony Stark didn't...