Under the Veil I Rule

That afternoon, Liliana once again made her way to Hogan's hospital room. She placed a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table and looked down at him with worry etched across her face. "How's he doing?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

"The specialists from overseas have arrived," replied one of the Peter family's house staff, hesitating slightly. "They're working on his treatment. It should take about five days to complete the course. If he wakes up after that, he'll be out of the woods. But if he doesn't..."

The servant trailed off, unwilling to spell out the grim alternative. He lowered his head, his expression troubled.

Liliana put on a worried face, sighing deeply. "Poor Hogan, always getting the short end of the stick. It's all that reckless driver's fault. Why are there such awful people in the world?"

Liliana and Hogan had always been close, and this wasn't her first visit. The servant, seeing her sit by Hogan's bedside as if she wanted to talk to him, discreetly slipped out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Once alone, Liliana's demeanor changed dramatically. Her eyes hardened with resentment as she gazed at Hogan. He lay there in his hospital gown, looking much thinner than he had a few days ago. His face was pale, his eyes closed, utterly defenseless. It would be so easy to just pull out his oxygen tube and end it all, she mused, her hand slowly reaching out.

But then-"Knock, knock."

sudden sound startled Liliana, and her

open and in walked Finnian, striding purposefully into the room. He paused, seeing Liliana by the

her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from her chest, though she maintained her calm

a nurse to get an update on Hogan's condition, Liliana feigned interest, listening intently as Finnian and the doctor discussed the treatment

Porter sat in the front seats.

voice tentative.

before," Liliana

laced with

said the doctors have a treatment plan. It's a five-day course. We'll see how lugges, but if things go well, he should wake up.

a hint of something ominous, her desire