Chapter 43

• My eyes opened slowly. When my vision adjusted, the first thing I saw was my grandfather standing before me in a white suit. "Happy birthday, Elizabeth," he said, his voice gentle and familiar.
• Tears fell down my cheeks.
• He held out a bouquet of fresh pink roses, their sweet scent filling the room. I reached out a trembling hand to take them, my fingers brushing against the soft petals, and I was surprised they felt so real against my skin.