Hayley lay motionless on the hospital bed, but her mind refused to rest. Every passing second felt like claws dragging across her nerves. The pain from the surgeries was nothing compared to the torment in her thoughts. She kept imagining Elliot beside Anastasia—sharing space, sharing warmth, perhaps already acting like bonded mates while she remained trapped here rebuilding herself.
By the time she returned, would the two of them already be discussing a formal mating ceremony?
The thought poisoned her from the inside.
Her fingers curled tightly into the blanket as she counted the days one by one, enduring the agony with bitter determination. She had reshaped nearly every feature of her face to resemble Anastasia more closely. Her jawline had softened, her eyes altered, even her expressions practiced endlessly before mirrors. She had sacrificed pain, dignity, and sanity for one purpose alone.
To return stronger.
To reclaim Elliot.
