The beeping sound woke me, my eyes slowly opening as I tried to move. A sharp ache coursed through my body, making every motion a struggle. The room was silent, and for a moment, I fought to remember what had happened.

The last thing I could recall was Isabel pushing me off the balcony—then everything went blank.

“Vera,” a voice broke through my thoughts. I turned my head to see Emma sitting beside me, a novel resting in her hands, which she closed as our eyes met. She looked at me with deep sympathy. “I'm so sorry, Vera. I should have been there for you when you needed me.”

I...