Page 49 of Riot

What about Ivy’s health?

What about her wellbeing?

I grind my teeth, forcing calm into my body. “Then find a way to tell her that ain’t gonna cause Maylie problems.”

Tearing my arm free, I walk away, vibrating with rage. I need to get out of here. I can’t look Ivy in the face and keep lying. I can’t bear it.

The corridors are busy with medical staff, visitors, and patients moving like a current. I shouldn’t leave. I should stay by her side—she needs me—but my guilt and shame are eating me alive.

So, I leave the hospital, my body a ball of tension as I drive the van back across the city. Mace’s words play on repeat as I drive.

She ain’t yours to worry about.

Fuck, those words eviscerated me.

Ivyismine, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending she’s not.

TEN

IVY

I wakewith a scream clawing its way out of my throat. Fumbling for the light, my heart jackhammers against my ribs until the warm glow chases the shadows from the room.

But not the ones in my head.There’s nothing I can do about those.

Fuck. I try to swallow, but my throat is like sandpaper, and sweat clings to my skin, hot and sticky.

It was just a nightmare.

It was just… a nightmare.

Gripping the mattress, my eyes dart to the cot. My daughter’s head is turned to the side, her fist pressed to her mouth, sleeping safely. It’s been two days since we got home from the hospital.

Two long days.

And my dreams are worse than ever. It’s not just Link hurting me. Now, it’s Seren. Those high-pitched cries play nonstop from the moment I close my eyes.

I didn’t mean to doze off, but I’m running on fumes, and I guess the engine finally seized.

Pushing my damp hair off my forehead, I suck in ragged breaths.

Seren’s fine, but I’m drowning, suffocating under the weight pressing on my chest.

Seeing my daughter hurting like that is seared into every corner of my memory, but it’s not the only reason I’m struggling.

It wasn’t Link in that hospital corridor, but it forced me to face a truth I wasn’t ready for.

We’re on borrowed time.

He’ll come for us, and when he does…

I’m scared of the lines I’ll cross to keep my daughter safe.

We should run.Hide far away from here.

But how can I leave my sister and brother behind? Maylie needs me. Toby too.

And Riot…

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