Chapter 226

Roman O’Connor

It's been a week since the lump was surgically removed from Roman’s chest, and he’s at the hospital, waiting for Audrey Stafford, Jade's mother.

The hospital parking lot feels like purgatory—just endless rows of cars and the low hum of fluorescent lights that turn every reflective surface into a pale green.

Roman is sitting in the back seat of his car, fidgeting with the leather str