ROSALINE

I sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair beside my father's hospital bed, the faint beeping of the monitor was the only sound in the otherwise silent room.

The doctor had assured me a few hours ago that he was responding well to treatment and would be fine soon, but the wait was agonizing.

With a heavy sigh, I pulled out my phone to check for any updates from Gerald. But instead of his message, I saw a text from Ava asking where I was. Confused, I decided to call her instead.

"Hey, Ava," I greeted, my voice weary from the events of the past day. "I got your text...