Chapter 77. Picture

The sterile white walls of the infirmary room seemed to close in on Pearl as her consciousness slowly returned. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her gaze fell upon a familiar face. Ethan sat in a chair beside her, his features etched with worry. She managed a weak smile.

“Ethan,” she rasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Thank you for saving me.”

Relief washed over Ethan as he realized that Pearl was awake and conscious. He reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. “You don’t need to thank me, Pearl. I couldn’t just leave you there.”

Pearl nodded in gratitude but then her expression grew somber. “Ethan, someone is after me. I need to be safe.”

Ethan’s brows furrowed with concern. “Who is after you, Pearl? Do you know who it is?”

Pearl shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. “I don’t know, Ethan. It was all so sudden. I was driving, and then the next thing I knew, I was in that accident.”

Ethan’s gaze softened, and he leaned in closer