Chapter 53

As Carmela slowly drifted back to consciousness, she became aware of the beeping of a heart monitor, the antiseptic smell of the hospital room, and the feel of the stiff, white sheets underneath her. 

Her head ached, and her body felt heavy and sore. But she was alive. She had survived the crash, somehow.

She opened her eyes, and saw the sterile white walls of the hospital room, the machines monitoring her vitals, and the IV in her arm. 

She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her body. A groan escaped her lips.

As Carmela looked around the room, she recognized several faces. 

There was Pedro, her former boss, who looked concerned and worried. There was Max, her ex-husband, his face full of sadness and regret. And there was Sarah, her best friend, her face full of sympathy and compassion. Finally, there were her twin children, standing at the foot of the bed, looking scared and confused.

Carmela's head was spinning. She didn't kn