~ Shannon ~

As soon as Evan left the room, the door burst open again. My heart leaped—I thought he had returned. But when I looked up, I saw a group of women, their faces lit with warm smiles. They looked to be in their mid-thirties, unfamiliar yet oddly welcoming.

I tried to sit up, but they rushed to my side, gently helping me.

“You don’t need to stress yourself when you have us here,” one of them said, smiling kindly.

The others nodded, their eyes filled with excitement.

I scrambled in my thoughts, struggling hard to recognize their faces, but I couldn't. I bet I hadn't seen them since...