ALLISON.

“Dinner is served,” Melissa announced as she stepped into the room, balancing a tray filled with a steaming bowl of soup and a cup of herbal tea. The enticing aroma filled the air, but it didn’t quite reach my stomach.

I raised an eyebrow at the meal. “Another bowl of soup? How original.”

Melissa set the tray down, her smile unwavering. “It’s good for you, Miss Allison. You need to regain your strength.”

“Right, because I’m fragile and might break at any moment,” I said, trying to keep the annoyance from creeping into my voice. “I’m fine. I just need to get back to my life.”

“Eating will help,”...