I wiped the tears off my face, picked up the glass of water, and drank a little of it. I didn't feel like throwing up, and I knew my body was finally ready to process solid food.

I forced myself to eat the Greek yogurt oatmeal even though it was the last thing I craved at the moment, but I had to eat to stay fit. I couldn't avenge my friend's death lying helpless in a bed like a fragile invalid.

The door swung open again, and two maids walked in, quietly pushing the food cart away from my bedside before exiting the room, leaving behind the man who appeared...