Her Heart, Her Undoing novel Chapter 7

"Julian!" Tessa cried, her hands trembling as they patted frantically at his back. "Are you hurt? Did it burn you? We have to get to the hospital right now!"

Julian's brow tightened with pain, and sweat glistened at his temple, but he still tried to comfort her. "I'm fine. It's nothing. You came out to have fun, and I don't want to ruin your night."

"No! We have to go to the hospital now!" she insisted, her voice breaking.

Avery watched the display of gallant devotion, and a cold, airless weight pressed against her chest. She pushed to her feet, desperate to leave, because she couldn't breathe in this room another second.

Julian suddenly caught her wrist. "Where are you going?"

"Home," she said, yanking her hand free. "What? Do you want to come along?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

Julian went quiet, his grip loosening. After a pause, he said flatly, "Go ahead."

Avery let out a bitter laugh and walked away without looking back.

The group tried to smooth things over. "Julian, Avery's just jealous. Go talk to her!"

He frowned at the door, then shook his head. "Don't bother. She'll get over it."

Avery went back to the apartment alone. Neither Julian nor Jace turned up that night. The quiet felt like borrowed time, but she still couldn't sleep.

Near midnight, her phone broke the silence. Julian's name flashed on the screen.

"Avery, come to Merinorth Hospital now!" he said urgently, then ended the call before she could answer.

Avery was stunned for a second before pulling on her shoes and driving to the hospital.

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