ALWAYS THERE

Brianna Owen lay motionless in the stark white hospital bed, the relentless beeping of machines a harsh reminder of her reality.

It was day thirty of her coma-a month lost to darkness-and while her body was trapped in silence, her mind remained achingly aware of everything around her.

Her mind was her only companion, and it tormented her with memories.

Her thoughts spiraled back to that day, the day her parents had come to visit her. They hadn't lingered then, not even a moment long enough to show love or concern.

Their cold words echoed in her mind like a horrifying mantra. "We shouldn't have welcomed you back into the family. You're such a disgrace. "

With each passing day, Brianna's heart grew heavier. The realization settled uncomfortably within her: her real family had abandoned her. She was left alone in this sterile void, surrounded by machines.

The gentle click of the door opening pierced her reverie. The rhythm of the footsteps was wrong-too deliberate, too confident for a nurse.

Her heart raced. Who else could it be?

A familiar, cloying scent of expensive jasmine perfume filled the air. Then Cassie Owen's voice rant out. "Good morning, Brianna. I thought I'd stop by and check on my dear sister."

Her tone twisted the word "sister" into something sinister.

Cassie was the golden child-the one who had usurped Brianna's place and reveled in a life of luxury within the Owen family. With a viper's smile and expertly spun lies, she had welcomed Brianna only to turn their parents against her at every opportunity.

It was Cassie who had framed her for theft, landing her in a hellish prison for four years. Brianna had survived that, only to be accidentally struck by a truck the week she was released.

"Oh, I have wonderful news," Cassie continued. "I'm engaged to Matt. He proposed last night with mother's emerald ring. The one you said was so beautiful. "

The words hit Brianna harder than anything else had during her time in the hospital. Matthew Davis was supposed to be her fiancé.

How could Cassie do this? She had not only stolen Brianna's life and her parents' affection, but now she was also taking her fiancé!

Now Brianna understood why Cassie had come to visit her-not out of kindness, but to gloat.

Cassie's footsteps drew closer until Brianna could feel her presence looming over the bed. "Well, well, look at you. The long-lost heiress, reduced to a vegetable. How pitiable. "

But then, Cassie's voice changed. The feigned sweetness evaporated, replaced by a cold, brutal malice that made the air feel frozen. "There's something else I want to share with you, Brianna."

Cassie leaned in so close Brianna could feel her warm breath on her ear. She whispered, her voice dropping to a intimate, venomous level, "I thought you deserved to know the truth before you go. The truck that hit you? That was no accident. I made sure of it. I couldn't have you worming your way back into Daddy's good graces after your little stint in jail, could I?"

The words slammed into Brianna with more force than the truck itself. Cassie did this. She planned the accident!

Brianna poured every ounce of her being into her hand, wishing she could slap Cassie in the face. But her body remained a dead, heavy weight, betraying her utterly.

Unable to shout or lunge, all she could do was feel. And right now, she felt pure hatred.