"Get off me!" I yelled, shoving the small hands away. "It hurts!"
Rosalind froze. Her eyes went wide, filled with fear. She shrank back against the pillows.
I blinked, the fog clearing. I looked at the little girl trembling in front of me. This was Rosalind. Jasper's daughter. My golden ticket.
I immediately softened my features, forcing a mask of pain and fragility onto my face.
"Oh, Rosie... I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling. I cradled my bandaged arm. "Auntie didn't mean to yell. It's just... my arm hurts so badly right now."
Rosalind's fear instantly melted into concern. She looked at my arm, then at my face.
"Is it... is it because of the bad mommy?" she asked, her voice small.
"Yes, sweetie," I sighed, looking down. "The injury your mother gave me... it still hurt
