Page 275 of Halfblood Deceived

“We’re here,” Diana said, face tight with apprehension.

Aella took a calming breath, texted a quick, ‘talk to you later’ to her crazy friends, and left the car after Diana.

* * *

The nurses and doctors in the reception area and the halls of the hospital eyed Diana as if she had green antennae.

Aella barely resisted the impulse to scream at them to stop.

Diana pretended not to notice, but Aella could see the paleness of her skin and the dullness in her blue eyes.

Aella took one of Diana’s trembling hands in hers and scowled at a male nurse who looked at both of them up and down with open revulsion.

Diana squeezed Aella’s hand harder as they reached Jessa’s room. “I don’t want to do this.”

“Okay,” Aella said. “You can wait outside—”

Diana gulped and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” said a female voice.

Diana’s hand shook, but she turned the knob of the white door.

Inside, they found Jessa and Nurse Jasmine.

Aella blinked at Jessa. She knew staring was rude, but couldn’t help it.

Jessa looked… fine. Her brown skin was a bit yellowish and her curly hair was messy, but there were no marks from the brutal blow she received on her face.

The bed had been adjusted to a semi-sitting position. Jessa had a cup in one hand. She had recently finished lunch, given the empty tray.

Aella’s eyes prickled with relief. Mari had informed her Jessa could move her arms just fine, of course, but seeing it was something else. She cleared her tight throat. “Can we come in?”

Nurse Jasmine gave Jessa a questioning look.

The werewolf nodded. “Of course.”

Aella nudged Diana, and they both stepped inside, standing by the foot of the bed.

Nurse Jasmine was fiddling with Jessa’s IV, but Aella had the feeling she was just unwilling to leave Jessa alone.

Jessa examined both Aella and Diana with her usual calm expression that didn’t reveal much. It was better than the screams and insults Aella had imagined, but still uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry,” Diana blurted out, voice raspy. “I am so sorry. You probably won’t believe me, but I never harbored any ill intentions toward you, Jessa. I didn’t want to hurt you. I tried to stop. I swear I did—”

Jessa sighed. “I know that.”

Diana blinked, tears falling down her cheeks. “You do?”

Jessa nodded. “I saw the video.” Her eyes moved toward Aella for a second, before she met Diana’s teary gaze again. “I know Brittany used you to hurt me. And I don’t blame you for what happened, Diana.”

Diana’s knees faltered.

Aella wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her steady.

“You don’t?” Diana asked, incredulous.

“Again, I saw the video,” Jessa said.

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