Chapter 241

As I forced my heavy eyelids open, the first thing that came into view was an unfamiliar, ornate ceiling.

Just as my focus kept drifting in and out, blurring and sharpening, over and over—

"Viola?"

A familiar, desperate voice dropped into my ears.

Turning my head slowly, I saw my husband's face, gaunt and worn.

"C— Cain."

I called his name, glad to see him, but what came out was a voice cracked and rasping, like rusted metal. Like someone whose throat had stiffened from not speaking for far too long.

I let out a small, involuntary cough, and Cain immediately gripped my hand, urgent.

"Don't force yourself to talk. You only just woke up, so take it slow..."

His face was tense in a way I'd never seen from him before.

I nodded, gently, to reassure him.

"Does anything hurt? Does your body feel strange, anything at all...?"

Well.…