Chapter 22

Natalie

I'm woken up by high heels storming through the hospital, and without opening my eyes, I can feel the person is headed for me. And I must have spider senses, for Cynthia is coming for me when I open my eyes.

"You shouldn't be here, you dirty little slut!"

Did Cynthia just call me a slut?

Am I still dreaming?

I blink life into my tired eyes, and it seems I'm not experiencing a nightmare right now.

Cynthia is seething without us having spoken a single word until now. I'm still not fully awake and stretch my legs, gasping when the woman walks over to where I'm sitting.

She casts me in her shadow.

It's dark outside, and no one else is sitting inside the waiting room—it gives Cynthia the perfect opportunity to slap me, not once but three times across my face. Her hits rattle me to the core, and I lift my chin to stare up at her in utter confusion.

"What did I do?" I question, placing my palm against my chin. "Are you absolutely mad?!"

"How dare you!" Cynthia roars.

She is weari