Page 56 of Hunted By Wraith

As if I meant nothing in that short time, maybe it was all in my head.

I should’ve known better. I was reckless. Careless. Stupid.

“Hey,” Lily’s voice is gentle. She wipes away tears I didn’t notice. “No, none of that.”

“Sorry,” I croak. “I just—God, maybe I’m crazy, but I thought… there was something there.”

She squeezes my hands. “I thought so too.”

I nod more to myself than to her. Here I am—trained killer—crying over men. My father warned me to be cautious with love. Said my hyperactive attachment personality was too intense.

“Selene?” a croaky male voice calls from the doorway.

I turn my head, eyes wide.

“Max?” It’s barely a whisper.

He rushes to my bedside, arms open, but Lily shoves him back with a flat palm.

“Easy, idiot. She’s damaged goods,” she snaps.

He pouts, but I laugh—a tired, cracked sound.

“It’s been four fucking months,” Max breathes. “We thought we’d never see you again.”

He leans in and hugs me gently, pressing a kiss to my head.

“Four months?” I shout.

They both flinch, then nod.

“You had me on life support that long? Why?” I ask, stunned.

“Well… technically four and a half months,” Lily says, a little too cheerfully.

“We were waiting. You’re a fighter,” Max says, proud and certain.

“We decided to give it five months. Let your body heal and see what happened.” Lily adds, squeezing my arm.

“Oh,” I breathe, chuckling weakly. “Well, I’m glad you waited.”

Even if it doesn’t fix the gaping hole inside me.

“Selene,” a warm voice calls.

Mrs. Salone stands in the doorway, flanked by Ellie and Ava. Katherine trails in behind them, giving me a small smile.

Tears shine in Silvia’s eyes. “It’s a miracle.”

She rushes to me, then pauses to reach into her purse. A moment later, she slides a container across the tray table.

I raise a brow. “What’s this?”

“Shhh.” She gestures for me to open it.

Inside: mini croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and a red velvet cupcake.

I groan. “You’re an angel, Silvia.”