Chapter 5

Three days later, the surgery began. Harper and I lay on separate gurneys, wheeled toward the cold, sterile lights of the operating room. The scent of antiseptic filled the air, sharp and suffocating. Harper turned her head slightly, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Julia Knight, you lost." I met her gaze, matching her smile. "Did I? It’s not over yet." Her expression hardened. "Let’s see if you even make it out of here alive." Then the anesthesia kicked in, and everything went dark. --- I...