CHAPTER 27

SARAH

Clara was wheeled into the ward on a gurney, her body limp and still. I stood frozen, watching as the gurney was pushed inside a ward. Guilt and fear twisted in my gut, and I couldn't take my eyes off Clara's prone form.

"Oh God, what have I done?" I whispered, my voice breaking. With my eyes brimming with tears, I turned to Leo, who stood at a distance, and clung to him.

"Shh, it's going to be okay," Leo whispered, holding me tightly.

"We don't know what's going to happen yet, so don't blame yourself for something that hasn't even happened. We'll get through this together."

I nodded, trying to take comfort in his words. But the guilt still gnawed at me.

Suddenly, I caught sight of his mother standing in the doorway and so, I drew away from him. His mother's eyes were cold and hard, and I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine.

I knew I had crossed a line, and I braced myself for the coming confrontation.

"Mum, I..." I began, but his mother cut me