10

Amelie rested her head on a pile of silk pillows, trying to regulate her racing breath. The pain in her left ankle felt like a steady drumbeat, pulsing in time with her chaotic heartbeat. The spacious room felt too quiet, accompanied only by the distant sound of Maldivian waves crashing through the window. Her thoughts drifted to Rossie. Although Aaron had assured her that her daughter was safe in the next room, a mother's anxiety could not be easily quelled. She looked down at her ankle, which was now twice its normal size. The skin around her ankle was red, contrasting with the clean white sheets that covered her. Amelie tried to move her fingers, but a sharp pain shot through her bones, forcing her to grimace and bite her lower lip. Stupid, she cursed herself. In a situation like this, becoming physically disabled was the last thing she needed. How could she protect Rossie if she couldn't even walk? The sound of heavy, steady footsteps approached from the corridor. The door opened s