"Maya!" he called out, his voice strained but urgent. He struggled to sit straighter, his trembling hands gripping the blanket. "You're finally here!" His eyes locked onto mine, searching, pleading. "I don't blame you at all. Please, don't do anything foolish."
The reporters who had been swarming him turned in unison, sensing a shift. Microphones were raised, cameras refocused. The red lights blinked alive once more and the lens of every device turned toward me.
Evelyn, perched by Harvey's side, scoffed loudly, drawing all eyes back to her. She tossed the damp towel onto the bedside table and turned to glare at me, a venomous smile twisting her lips. "Hmph! You still dare show your face here? I've never seen such a shameless woman!"
"Mom, stop it!" Harvey weakly interjected, wincing as he tried to calm her.
By the window, Lucia had been arranging a tray of freshly washed fruit. Now, she set it down with a deliberate click, the sound oddly sharp in the quiet room. A sardonic smile twisted her lips as she turned to me. "Why are you even here?" she asked, her voice cool with contempt.