"Ugh," Lily grunted.
"What?" Clara asked, shifting in bed. The tube in her arm tugged a little, and she winced. She hated the feeling—it reminded her too much of waking up after her rebirth. Even though that moment had given her a second chance, she still feared one day she'd open her eyes and find herself back in the same hospital bed where she'd died.
"It's just…" Lily sighed, rubbing her temples. "Only bad things keep happening to us. This is your second time in the hospital in three days, and now it looks like someone's trying to kill you. Maybe even both of us, who knows?"
Clara stayed quiet, watching her sister pace a little, her brows furrowed.
Lily frowned, her voice softening. "The only good thing that's happened is you cutting yourself off from Laura."
Clara's lips curved faintly. "Yeah, I can't believe I didn't do that sooner."
Lily leaned back in the chair with a small huff, arms crossed. "We're supposed to be living life, Clara. Going out, falling in love, being reckless—not dealing with your psychotic ex–best friend trying to poison you."
Clara gave a short laugh, but it faded quickly. "You're right," she said, voice quiet.
Lily shrugged, her expression gentler now. "Yeah, well… doesn't really change much, does it?"
Clara glanced at the IV drip again, the soft rhythm oddly calming. "No," she murmured. "Not really."
Lily let out a tired sigh and leaned her head back against the chair. "I just hate that it's always you. You're the one getting hurt, and I'm just sitting here watching it happen. It's not fair."
Clara turned her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "What do you mean fair?"
"I don't know," Lily said, shrugging halfheartedly. "At least let them target me, too. Share the drama a little."
Clara chuckled, shaking her head. "That's not how fairness works, Lily."
"Still," Lily said, a teasing glint returning to her eyes, "you've had two near-death experiences this week. You're hogging all the attention."
Clara laughed for real this time, the sound soft but genuine. "You're ridiculous."
"I'm serious," Lily said, smiling now. "If Laura's going to lose her mind, she might as well spread the chaos evenly."
"Please," Clara said, rolling her eyes. "You'd probably fight her with a coffee cup."
"I would, actually," Lily said, pretending to think about it. "Or maybe a frying pan. You know I've got good aim."
Clara laughed again, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"And you love me for it," Lily shot back, grinning.
Before Clara could respond, a knock came at the door. Both sisters looked up as Dr. Hayes stepped in, clipboard in hand.
The doctor who oversaw her after she had been reborn.
He smiled politely. "Good morning, ladies. How are we feeling today?"
"Like someone slipped me something," Clara muttered under her breath.
Lily smirked. "Funny you should say that."
Dr. Hayes glanced between them before clearing his throat. "Well, we've confirmed what the lab found. You were given a small dose of ketamine—an illegal one, I should add—but we've flushed it out of your system. You're going to be fine."
Lily's face fell, and she sat up straighter. "So it was really that? Ketamine?"
He nodded. "Yes. A small amount, but still dangerous in the wrong hands."
Clara exchanged a look with Lily, her stomach sinking even though she already knew. "Laura," she said quietly.
Lily sighed, shaking her head. "I knew it. I just didn't think she'd actually go that far."
Dr. Hayes gave a small, sympathetic nod. "I'll be filing a report, of course, but for now, focus on resting. You're lucky it wasn't a stronger dose."
"Yeah," Clara said softly. "Lucky."
If she died like this, her rebirth would have been useless, if she didn't even get to slap Laura at least once.
Once he left, Lily groaned again, flopping back in her chair. "Unbelievable. I said she was crazy, but this is next-level."
Clara leaned her head against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. "She really does hate me. I guess I really did cut the last string holding her back."
Lily glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Then let her spiral on her own. We've got better things to do than survive her drama."
Clara chuckled quietly, the tension in her chest finally easing. "You're right. Maybe after this, I'll actually get that 'living life' thing you keep talking about."
Lily grinned. "You'd better. Because next time, I'm dragging you to a club instead of a hospital."
"Deal," Clara said, smiling for real this time.