Chapter 75

ALYSSA woke by degrees, too afraid to open her eyes to the pounding headache crashing between her temples. She was someplace that smelled like rubbing alcohol. Whatever she was wearing twisted around her. The bed—clearly not hers—had scratchy sheets. Every muscle in her body screamed.

She took a deep breath—and immediately started to cough. Her lungs burned as if she’d smoked a whole carton of cigarettes in a day.

Her eyes flashed open in reflex.

“Easy,” Tyler whispered as he reached out to take her hand.

“What . . . ?”

God, was that croak her voice?

“You’re in the emergency room. You’ve been here a few hours.”

She frowned, trying to sort through scattered memories. It was a jumble of panic and haze.

“The baby?” She coughed. Damn, her lungs burned.

“Fine. Doc checked you out right away. You’re fine. Baby is still in there, growing and well.”

Oh, thank God. Relief doused her, and she melted into the bed. “What”—she coughed—“