Blanche's POV
When I reached the hospital, Lucia Aarav was sprawled on her bed, treating herself to some kind of beauty mask routine.
Hospital gown or not, the woman was still a knockout—the kind that made people do double-takes in hallways.
The second she heard my footsteps, Lucia yanked off that face mask like she'd been caught doing something scandalous. She pushed herself up against the bed rail and swiveled around, giving me a once-over.
When she saw how beat I looked, worry creased her features. "God, you've lost weight. You look like hell."
I brushed it off with a shrug. "I'm fine. How about you? Getting any decent rest these last few days?"
Lucia's face softened, and I could tell my concern touched something in her. "Actually, yeah. I've been sleeping pretty well."
She stretched her hand toward me, her voice gentle. "Come closer. Let me get a proper look at you."
I sighed and stepped forward, knowing resistance was pointless.
