Page 28 of Insatiable

I sit up and look at her, frustration building. “What would you do… if you were in my position?”

She sighs, her expression softening. "I don’t know. I guess I’d keep going through the games."

“And leave Ro, Juliette, and Dade behind, knowing what you know about this place?”

Her eyes flicker with something like sympathy. "The choice is never going to be easy, but you’ve only known Dade, Juliette, and Ro for a few months. You’ve been Jenny’s sister her whole life. She’s the reason you chose to come into Hell in the first place."

Even when she lays it out like that, it still feels wrong, like every decision is a betrayal. But what else can I realistically do? She’s right. I came here for Jenny.

I thank her and say goodbye, hoping that talking to Twila would give me some kind of clarity, maybe even comfort. But as I walk away, the hopelessness tightens its grip. Instead of finding a way forward, I just feel more lost than ever.

14

HOW MANY TIMES CAN ONE PERSON BREAK BEFORE THEY SHATTER?

JULIETTE

When my eyes flutter open, the world is a blur of white and sterile smells. My head throbs with a dull ache, and for a moment, I can’t remember where I am or why I’m here. The beeping of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptics slowly bring me back to reality. I’m in a hospital. Hell’s hospital, no doubt. I shift slightly, my body protesting with every movement.

That’s when I see him. Tomas is slumped in an uncomfortable-looking chair beside my bed, his head resting on his chest. He looks exhausted, dark circles under his eyes, his usually neat hair disheveled. He’s here. He stayed.

I can’t remember the last time I saw him look so vulnerable. My heart clenches with a confusing mix of emotions—anger, hurt, relief, and something dangerously close to affection. Damn him for once again making me care.

I try to speak, but my throat is dry and only a raspy whisper escapes. “Tomas…”

His eyes snap open, and for a moment, he looks disoriented. Then his gaze locks onto mine, and relief floods his features.He’s on his feet in an instant, moving to my side, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from my face.

“Juliette,” he breathes, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank God, you’re awake. I was so scared…”

I want to be angry, to push him away and demand why he cares now after everything we’ve been through. But the words die in my throat when I see the genuine concern in his eyes.

“You… you stayed?” I manage to croak out. He nods and gives me a small smile.

The exhaustion tugs at me, but I fight to stay awake a little longer. “Tomas,” I whisper, my voice weak. “What happened? How did I end up here?”

He takes a deep breath, his face growing somber. “You were poisoned during the second trial. The doctors weren’t sure if you’d make it. You’ve been in a coma for two days.”

Poisoned. The memory hits me like a freight train. The Earthery, the food, the trial… everything comes rushing back in a chaotic whirl. “The others… are they okay?”

“Rowena’s still unconscious,” Tomas says softly, his brow furrowing with worry. “But Dade and the others are holding on. It’s been rough on everyone.”

A pang of pain twists in my chest as I look down the row of beds and see Ro on the very end, her eyes closed. I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating, but Felix appears to be holding her hand.

“Tomas. Is Felix really over there by Ro, or am I imagining it?”

Tomas twists his head to look behind him, scanning the room. “He’s not left her bedside since you all came in.”

Tears spring to my eyes, surprising me. I try to blink them away, but they spill over, trailing down my cheeks. I never fucking cry. What is it with this place that’s turned me into a fucking faucet? Probably lack of food. It’s enough to turn anyone into a pathetic crybaby.

“Why are you crying? Are you in pain?” Tomas’s voice is filled with concern as he reaches out, brushing a tear away with his thumb. It’s a sweet gesture that stirs my soul and brings me more comfort than I want to admit to myself.

“No.” My eyes turn to the end bed again. Felix is the biggest asshole I know and yet right now, I can see the pain in his eyes. He really does care. It’s sobering, and strangely saddening too, though I don’t know why?

I close my eyes and try to parse my thoughts together. I’m sad because it’s clear that Felix really does care about Ro. Anthura must have absolutely balled him out, threatened him, no doubt, too, but he stayed anyway. He put all of his prejudices aside and changed. Like really changed. He’s not the same man that came into Hell and that’s all because of Ro.

But none of that changes the fact he was sleeping with underage girls, causing Quinn’s sister to kill herself. He was a monster in life. Is sitting by the bedside of a woman that he’s obviously fallen in love with an excuse to forgive him his previous sins? Sins that were so awful, so insurmountable, that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive him.

“I need to talk to him,” I whisper, trying to pull myself out of bed.

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