The next morning, the soft light of dawn trickled through the blinds, illuminating Eloise's hospital room in muted tones. Despite the warmth of the sunlight, there was an overwhelming chill in the air. Eloise sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently tugging at the hem of her hospital gown, lost in her thoughts. The walls around her seemed to close in, as if they were a constant reminder of her past mistakes, the prison she had been trapped in for three long years.
Eric entered the room, his footsteps deliberate and slow. He was carrying his usual aura of professionalism, but today, there was something different about him. Something was weighing heavily on his mind. As he looked at Eloise, his lips parted to speak, but his words seemed to falter for a moment. He cleared his throat an
