Chapter 12- Deception

Angela's POV

I sit beside my father’s hospital bed, my eyes fixed on the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest. The tension in my shoulders refuses to ease, even as I try to tell myself that he’s safe for now.

My mind keeps drifting back to Fiona, to the way I slapped her across the face, to the twisted smirk she wore even as she cradled her injury.

I’m worried about the fallout. Lyle’s family is powerful and vengeful, and Fiona won’t hesitate to use every resource at her disposal to make my life hell.

I don’t regret it. That bitch had it coming, and the look of shock on her face when I finally fought back was worth every ounce of trouble it might bring.

Taking a deep breath, I push those thoughts away. Worrying about it now won’t help my father, and I need my focus here.

The room feels stifling, the air heavy, so I decide to step outside for some fresh air. I rise from the chair, give my father’s hand a gentle squeeze, and quietly slip out.

At the hospital entrance, I nearly co