Chapter 22

Sienna

The soft creak of the infirmary door pulled my attention away from the glass window overlooking the incubation room. I had my arm wrapped around myself, knowing that she, my little girl, was supposed to be in my arms rather within the enclosed room that she was in.

Evelyn stepped inside, her presence a quiet comfort amid the cold sterility of the space. Her footsteps were light, deliberate, as if she knew that any sudden noise might shatter the fragile grip I had on my composure. She smiled at me as she walked, and I took a deep breath before turning to face her.

“Sienna,” she said gently, offering a small nod as she approached. “I thought I’d find you here. I’ve been told that you’ve been refusing to leave this place.”

I didn’t respond immediately. I didn’t know how to respond, at least, not to her statement.

“She looks so peaceful,” I murmured. “Like the world hasn’t touched her yet.”

Evelyn stood beside me, her reflection blending