ARIA'S POV
My hand hovered over the door handle as my mind raced to come up with a response. I really wasn’t ready to confront this, not now, not after everything that had happened tonight.
I felt Finn’s gaze burning into my back, waiting for an answer. But instead of acknowledging his question, I forced a bright, fake smile and raised my voice. “Come on, Finn! Let’s go see how your mother is doing, shall we?”
I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned quickly and started walking toward the hospital entrance, my steps faster than they needed to be, my mind a mess of conflicting emotions. I could hear Finn’s footsteps behind me, slower, more hesitant, but he followed without saying another word.
Inside, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the quiet hum of hospital machinery greeted us.
