The rhythmic beep of the hospital monitor was the first thing you heard when you woke up. The fluorescent lights above were way too bright, making your head pound even more.

You barely had time to register the IV in your arm before a voice—sharp and frantic—cut through the haze.

—“Oh my God, you’re awake.”

Veronica.

She was standing by your bedside, gripping the railing so tightly her knuckles had turned white. Her eyes were wide, panicked, like she wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or terrified.

—“You—you idiot,” she breathed, voice cracking as she sat down heavily in the chair beside you. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Tell her what? That her boyfriend had been staring you down for weeks? That every time you so much as looked at her, JD’s expression would darken, his grip on her shoulder tightening? That you knew—knew—he was dangerous, but you’d never expected him to actually do something about it?

You tried to speak, but your throat was dry, voice barely a rasp.

Veronica covered her face with her hands.

—“I should’ve seen it. I did see it, but I just—I didn’t think…” She let out a shaky breath, finally meeting your gaze. “What did he do to you?”

Before you could answer, the door creaked open.

—“There you are, darling.”

JD’s voice was smooth, amused—too amused. He stepped inside, hands in his pockets, the faintest smirk curling his lips. His eyes flicked between you and Veronica, narrowing ever so slightly.

Veronica tensed.

—“JD—”

—“You ran off so fast, babe. Had me worried.” His gaze locked onto you, and for a moment, the room felt colder. “How’s our favorite patient doing?”

His voice was light, but there was an edge to it. A warning.

Veronica stood up, moving slightly in front of you, like she could shield you from whatever JD was thinking.

—“JD, we should—”

—“Talk?” He chuckled. “Yeah, we should. Lots to talk about. Like why you’re here, holding their hand.”

You hadn’t even realized Veronica was still gripping your fingers. She let go like she’d been burned.