Chapter 109

• Maria opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the unfamiliar brightness of the hospital room. Her vision gradually cleared, revealing the concerned faces of her family standing around her bed. Smiles flooded through them as they saw her hazel eyes flutter open, signalling her return from a long coma.
• "Maria, sweetheart, you're awake!" her mother spoke with tears streaming down her face.
• Her father held her hand gently. "We've been waiting for so long, my dear. We're so happy you're back with us."