Chapter 5

My heart felt like it was being carved open, my eyes so red they could've bled.

"Why…?" I rasped, barely able to speak.

Derek's voice snapped back, thick with rage. "You've got the nerve to ask why? If you hadn't left Brittany behind, she wouldn't have nearly been crushed by that tree! You're lucky you took the hit, or you'd be in the morgue right now! So yeah, I'll let you live—but you'll live in pain."

Every word was a blade, slashing at my soul. I closed my eyes and laughed, a hollow, broken sound. Tears rolled down my cheeks, hot and heavy.

Numb, I was wheeled into the operating room, a soulless shell. The nurses pinned my arms and legs, strapping me to the table. I didn't fight, just stared at the ceiling, empty.

The first cut came, and pain exploded through me, raw and relentless. My body shook, but I clenched my jaw, silent. The blade sliced deeper, blood pooling, staining the table red. My fingers gripped the bed's edge, nails digging into my palms, but I didn't make a sound. My vision blurred, the cold beeping of machines the only thing tethering me to reality.

I woke to the nurses' chatter.

"Derek's so good to Brittany! Cleared out the top floor for her, comes every day to feed her himself!"

"Yeah, they're getting bound in two weeks. Perfect match!"

"That Hannah, the homewrecker trying to steal Derek from Brittany? Bet she's fuming!"

I stayed silent, listening, counting down the days. Two weeks left.

The door swung open, and Brittany sauntered in, glowing like she'd never seen a hospital bed. I forced a bitter smile. "Back on the mountain, you stalled on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yup," she admitted, grinning like she'd won. "Too bad you survived. You see it now, Hannah—Derek loves me. You're just a toy he can toss anytime. How'd you last this long by his side?"

Then she slapped herself, hard, fake tears streaming. "Hannah, take it out on me if you're mad! I'll apologize, but don't hurt my family! Wasn't it enough for your mom to seduce my dad? Now you're after him too, tearing us apart?"

I was stunned, reaching to stop her, but Derek burst in and smacked my hand away. Brittany threw herself into his arms, trembling. "Derek, I just came to check on her, and she was so cruel. She said she'd steal you and my dad! You know my dad always wanted her mom—he'd fall for her too. What about my mom?"

Derek's glare burned through me, his anger a wildfire ready to consume the room. "Hannah, you're beyond saving."

I opened my mouth to explain, but he wouldn't hear it. His hand cracked across my face, my cheek swelling instantly. "You and your mom are the same—filthy! Why didn't she take you with her when she died?" he spat. "Since you love throwing yourself at wolves, I'll make it happen."

He scooped up Brittany and left without a glance. My blood froze. Moments later, a group of ragged wolves—beggars—stormed in, their eyes glinting with greed. Their hands, like vipers, tore at my clothes, my dignity.

I shook, tears spilling. "Derek! Save me! Please, don't leave me here!"