When morning finally came, Elise woke to the faint sound of water running somewhere nearby.
She tried to lift herself, but pain tore through her body, sharp and burning, as if her insides had been set on fire. Like every part of her had been pricked by needles.
A broken gasp escaped her lips, and she collapsed back against the pillows, trembling.
Then the memories of the night before rushed in. She remembered being forced to drink a lot. She was allergic to alcohol and Lucien's sister still gave her. Elise blinked her tears back in, wondering how many days had been cut off now.
Lucien had only asked her to climb a tree and she had lost three days. She wondered how many days she had left with this almost-death situation.
What if she had only today?
She'd die not loving Lucien enough. Her soul might never rest in peace because of it.
