Serena’s POV
I woke up to the sterile smell of hospital disinfectant and the steady beeping of monitors. My body felt heavy, like I'd been hit by a truck.
Opening my eyes fully, I found Maya sitting beside my bed, her eyes puffy and red-rimmed.
She practically lunged forward when she noticed I was awake. "Serena! Thank God! I feel like such an i***t. I should've caught on faster when you called. Something felt off, but I just didn't connect the dots until it was almost too late."
I glanced around the hospital room, searching for Ryan but finding no trace of him. The disappointment I felt surprised me.
"I'm okay," I assured her, my voice raspy. "Was it Ryan who rescued me?"
Maya nodded quickly. "He called me last night, told me to come here and stay with you. He was furi
