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CHAPTER 1
ThewarmFloridasunhung high in the sky, casting a shimmering brilliance over Marco Island. It was the kind of day that postcards were made of, where the sea and sky melded seamlessly, and the world seemed bathed in golden light. Seated at a quaint seaside restaurant, Stephanie Victor, affectionately known as Steph, savored the view as much as her grilled shrimp salad. She felt a sense of contentment at the moment—a rare luxury in the whirlwind of her daily life.
Across the table, her younger sister, Hannah, stirred a lemon wedge into her water, her fingers dancing in the brilliant glare. With Hannah’s long, dark, auburn hair and cool poise, she had the unmistakable air of a woman in control. Despite the informal lunch setting, her aura was one of elegance, the kind of presence that made everyone take notice.
Steph regarded her sister over the rim of her iced tea glass, her pale blue eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “So, this is the third surprise visit you’ve paid us in the space of three months.” She took a sip of water. “What’s going on, Han?”
Hannah offered a serene smile, her deep violet eyes holding their own secrets. “I needed a break from the Palm Beach hustle, Steph. Vincent has been swamped with surgeries, and well, you know how stressful that and my work can be.”
Steph leaned back in her chair, studying her sister intently. “Is that all it is? Just a breather?”
Hannah’s gaze flickered, a barely discernible hesitation in her response. “It’s mainly that, but...” She let her words trail off.
Steph’s brows furrowed. She knew her sister well, and these half-finished sentences clearly indicated that something else was bothering Hannah. “Hannah, you can talk to me. I’m your sister, you know.”
Hannah sighed, her violet eyes holding a mixture of frustration and relief. “Alright, alright. It’s not just about taking a break. Vincent and I, well, we’ve been having some issues lately.”
Steph’s heart went out to her sister. Hannah had a history of faltering on the doorstep of marriage, having gained a somewhat notorious reputation as the “runaway bride” in the Scott family. Despite her successful career as a psychiatrist, her love life had been nothing short of tumultuous. “What’s going on? Are you having second thoughts again?”
Hannah shook her head, and her gaze showed genuine weariness. “It’s not that. I do love Vincent. He’s a wonderful man. But lately, I’ve been feeling somewhat suffocated with his schedule and all the stress. It’s as if I’m being swallowed by this relationship.”
Steph understood the dilemma. The prospect of losing her independence was daunting. “Have you talked to him about this?”
“We’ve had some heated discussions,” Hannah admitted. “He’s worried that I’m going to call off the wedding, and it’s putting even more pressure on us.”
Steph reached across the table, placing her hand over Hannah’s. “Marriage is a partnership, sis. It’s about finding that balance between love and freedom. You know that.”
Hannah offered a weak smile, her eyes finally revealing the vulnerability she had been keeping hidden. “I know you’re right, Steph. I just needed a breather to think things through.”
Steph patted her sister’s hand, offering her silent support. “Well, you’re here now, and we’re going to enjoy our time together. No heavy discussions today.”
Hannah nodded in agreement, her features relaxing. “You’re right. I came here to escape the drama, after all.”
They returned to their meal, the sun-drenched coastline a soothing backdrop to their sisterly reunion. The restaurant bustled with chatter and the aroma of fresh seafood. As they savored their lunch, Steph couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment at having her sister by her side.
After lunch, they strolled back to Hannah’s car. The air was warm and thick with the scent of saltwater. The brilliant cerulean of the Gulf of Mexico stretched out before them, a serene backdrop to their sisterly conversation.
As they approached the car, Steph felt an unexpected rush of dizziness, her surroundings blurring around her. Her steps faltered and her knees weakened. Her vision tunneled, and she collapsed into the passenger seat of Hannah’s car just in the nick of time, her consciousness fading.
The world went black.
Steph awoke to the sterile scent of a clinic. The overhead lights were harsh, and her head throbbed with a dull ache. As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she realized she was lying on a crisp white examination table.
Hannah sat beside her, her dark red hair a soft cascade around her worried face. “Thank goodness you’re awake.” She breathed a sigh of relief.
Steph’s voice was hoarse. “What happened?”
Hannah offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “You fainted, Steph.”
The room felt too white, too sterile. Steph blinked, struggling to understand. “Fainted? Why?”
Hannah reached for her hand. Her violet eyes filled with concern. “I’m not sure. But we’re going to figure it out. The doctor is running some tests.” She glanced around the room. “This small clinic is remarkably well equipped.”
Steph blinked, the stark whiteness of the room sending a chill down her spine. Her head was heavy, and her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. Hannah’s words swirled in her mind, and she fought to comprehend them.
The room’s clinical sterility contrasted with the warmth and brightness of the day outside. She tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over her like a crashing wave. The hospital bed felt alien, unfamiliar. The fluorescent lights stung her eyes, and the sterile aroma intensified her discomfort. Hannah’s violet eyes held worry and care.
“What kind of tests?” Steph asked as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She had no recollection of how she ended up here, her mind clouded by the disorienting moment of her collapse.
