Chapter 453

Natalie Lane jolted awake sometime after 3 a.m., the sharp stab of pain tearing through her like fire. She forced her eyes open, blinking against a flood of white—ceiling, walls, lights. Only then did memories start to come back—she’d saved Evelyn Knight’s life. Her lashes flickered as she took in her surroundings, vision landing on Evelyn, dozing upright on the couch nearby. Natalie’s gaze twitched. She tried reaching out, but her whole body felt like dead weight, pain slicing through bones and muscles. The second she gave up and let her arm drop, it smacked against the side of the bed. A fresh spike of agony hit her, and tears welled up instantly. It was unbearable. She let out a soft, broken cry. Evelyn always slept light, and that faint thud reached her ears even while half-asleep. Her eyes shot open, instantly locking onto the movement on the bed. Seeing that Natalie had woken up, she quickly got up and hurried over. "You're awake! Are you hurting anywhere?" As she spoke, Evelyn p