Chapter 145

Sarah’s POV I stumbled out of the hospital, my vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall. Alexander's words still echoed in my ears, each syllable dripping with disgust and disappointment. The memory of his face twisted in rage made my chest constrict painfully. I'd never seen him look at me that way before—like I was something repulsive, something dangerous. The Sarah sun beat down mercilessly overhead, its heat a stark contrast to the chill spreading through my veins. Every step away from Thea's hospital room felt like walking through quicksand. My body was physically present on this sidewalk, but my mind remained trapped in that hallway, replaying Alexander's look of pure disgust over and over again. "Taxi!" I called weakly, raising my arm to flag down a passing cab. My voice sounded foreign to my own ears—fragile and distant. No car slowed. Perhaps they couldn't even hear me. I tried again, stepping closer to the curb, but the world around me swam in and out of focus. Despite