Then a searing pain ripped through my stomach. Max collapsed right in front of me.
We were both rushed to the hospital. Poison.
My dose had been smaller. After a day unconscious, I regained enough strength to rip out my IV and go find him.
Outside the emergency room, I saw his eyes flutter open. Relief hit me so hard my legs gave out and I crumpled to the floor.
But the very next moment, Mabel appeared with a group of people carrying several half-used packets of poison and sedatives, along with a recording.
"These were all found in Amber's bedroom and her mother's room. Their fingerprints are on the packages, and this recording proves Amber is the one who poisoned him."
My voice came through the recording, clear as day: "How come he didn't die in that kidnapping? Mom told the kidnappers to kill him. This time, I'll make sure he's dead for good!"
Max lay on the gurney, his face whiter than the sheets beneath him.
He looked at me, and something behind his eyes shattered completely.
"Amber Fox..." His voice was raw, scraped hollow. "I traded my life for yours. And you wanted me dead this whole time?"