The Stranger's Pain

Valeria's POV

I forced my heavy eyelids open. The effort took everything I had, my lashes fluttering against a blinding, stark white glare that made my head throb. The world swam in and out of focus, blurry shapes slowly solidifying into the sterile, unforgiving edges of a hospital ceiling. The scent of bleach, rubbing alcohol, and crisp linens filled my nose, stinging my senses. I drew in a shal