White ceiling.
Beeping machines.
Ava hadn't slept in 36 hours.
Ethan lay unconscious.
She replayed Miranda's words.
Your father was weak.
Tears fell silently.
Suddenly Ethan stirred.
"You didn't leave," he whispered.
"I almost did," she replied honestly.
Silence.
Then:
"I signed those papers thinking I was protecting jobs," he said. "Miranda altered the financial report. I was blind."
Ava looked at him.
"For years I hated you."
"I know."
"And now?"
She hesitated.
"I don't know what I feel."
Before Ethan could respond, the hospital lights flickered.
A nurse entered.
Something was wrong.
Her badge was upside down.
Her eyes avoided contact.
Ava's instincts screamed.
The nurse pulled a syringe from her pocket.
"Sorry," she muttered.
Ethan reacted instantly, grabbing her wrist despite the pain.
The syringe fell.
Security rushed in.
The nurse bit her lip then swallowed something.
Poison.
She collapsed instantly.
Dead.
A folded note fell from her pocket.
Three words.
"The heir returns."