Alice

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on Xavier's pale face. His mother's wails and my own ragged breathing filled the air. I felt a hand on my shoulder, but I didn't flinch. I couldn't tear my gaze away from Xavier, and when I did turn, I saw Wendy.

Xavier's mother glared at me, her face contorted in anguish. "It's all your fault!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the hospital room. "Ever since you came into Xavier's life, he's been having problems, suffering from this and that. Look at what you've done! You've landed my son in the hospital!"

She burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs. Xavier's...