The morning burned holes through the back of Elena's eyelids, relentless, like someone had left a blowtorch on in the room.

She'd been awake since four, maybe five it's hard to tell when you've been dead and brought back inside someone else's skin.

The nurses just left her side after giving her some medicine and told her to rest.

Suddenly the door burst open.

"Viviannnnn!"

The sound of Sophia's voice hit Elena's chest before her body did.

She was shocked to see Sophia, Elena froze as she watched Sophia heels clicking like tiny hammers on tile running towards her

"Oh my God, I missed you so much!"

Sophia said, wrapping her hands all over Elena's neck, in a deep hug.

What's going on?

Sophia ?

Why is Sophia here the same woman that killed her?

"I was so scared, I thought I lost my best friend "

Vivian was still shocked at how everything is unfolding.

" Vivian are you okay? What's going on?"

Sophia asked as she pulled back from the hug,she noticed Vivian wasn't moving or hugging her back

Elena was trying not to scream or react the way she wanted because she might ruin everything right now.

Bestfriend?

With Sophia ?

She stayed still,arms at her sides with her fingers curling into the thin hospital blanket, knuckles white.

Sophia sat beside her gently, her eyes scanning Vivian's face,her blue innocent eyes like she'd never done a cruel thing in her life.

"Was that too tight?" She laughed, a little nervous.

Vivian shook her head lightly

"No you weren't " her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I was so worried,they said you hit your head and I thought-" Sophia's hand found Vivian's cheek.

Her thumb stroked her skin. "I thought I lost you."

Vivian smiled at Sophia and held her hand still on her cheek.

" I'm fine now, you didn't lose me, I'll be here with you " Vivian assured Sophia and they both smiled warmly at each other.

See? I'm fine Sophia, the only thing is that I'm not your best friend Vivian, but I'm Elena.

She thought to herself still smiling at Sophia.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday when you woke up," she said, her voice dripping with practiced regret.

"I was so busy with Marcus."

Marcus

The name sounded evil to her and sent shivers down her spine.

She tasted bile but swallowed it down.

Marcus who held my hand at our wedding, Marcus who said forever but watched me die and ordered a latte on the way home.

"He's been busy with work and getting me settled in," Sophia continued.

"A lot has happened in the past two weeks. He proposed to me,Can you believe it?"

She shoved her hands with the shining ring close to Vivian's face.

Vivian blinked and stared at the ring definitely a diamond ring.

" I'm so happy for you,congratulations "

"He finally chose me. After everything with his ex-wife-" She waved her hand, dismissively, like Elena was a bug she'd crushed.

"Well, you know. She's gone now. Finally, he's just... he's like a completely different person."

She's not gone Sophia,she's right in front of you

Elena screamed in her head.

" you know what I'll give you the details later,for now just be strong for me sweetheart"

Sophia's hand squeezed Vivian's hand again,reassuringly.

Vivian's jaw ached,she realized she was clenching it so hard her back teeth might crack.

You deserve nothing Sophia, you deserve to feel what I felt, the cold and darkness.

The way the water filled my lungs while you sipped champagne.

She thought to herself.

Sophia kept talking about different things,her plans with Marcus and her new shop opening but she was ignorant of the fact that something was wrong with her best friend.

She paused and tilted her head.

"Derrick called and wanted to know when you're being discharged, he's so worried about you and promised to come home before you leave the hospital."

Derrick.

Elena had no idea who Derrick was, no clue what his face looked like, what his voice sounded like, how he fit into Vivian's life but she nodded anyway,because smiling was the only thing keeping her from screaming.

"You're so quiet today. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah," Vivian said and her voice came out rough, like she'd swallowed gravel.

"Just tired and it's hard to talk."

The door opened, Dr. Reeves entered, clipboard in hand, followed by a nurse with a syringe.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hart. How are we feeling today?"

We are feeling homicidal, actually but thanks for asking.

"Better," she managed.

"Much better."

"That's wonderful." He nodded at the nurse, who stepped forward and injected something cold into Elena's IV.

"This will help you relax better."

The warmth hit her instantly and spread through her veins like honey.

"You'll be discharged tomorrow," Dr. Reeves continued.

"We just want to monitor you one more night. Make sure everything is stable."

Sophia practically vibrated.

"TOMORROW! Oh my God, Vivian, that's wonderful! I can't wait to take you home."

The nurse adjusted Elena's pillows.

"Rest now," she said softly.

"You need to sleep."

Elena's eyes were already closing. She fought against the pull, tried to keep her gaze on Sophia's face but the medication was stronger.

Sophia leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"I'll be here tomorrow," she whispered.

"I can't wait to have you back at home,my best friend."

Elena's eyes closed,she didn't sleep properly at night so the drugs made it easier for her to sleep.

Before she slept off, in the dark behind her eyelids, the words burned.

I can't wait to watch you crumble and take everything back

Then darkness pulled her under.

I'm coming for you, Sophia and this time, I won't fall.