Rowan's POV

The hospital was eerily quiet when I woke up. The dim light cast long shadows across the room, and the only sound was the steady beeping of the monitors attached to our mother. She looked so frail, a stark contrast to the strong woman who once ruled our household with an iron fist. The sight of her like this twisted something deep inside me.

Rose was nowhere to be seen, likely off on another of her endless coffee breaks. It was just as well; I needed a moment to think without her sharp eyes tracking my every move.

I leaned back in the uncomfortable chair and rubbed my...