A R I A
I wake up to sunlight sneaking through the blinds, falling in quiet stripes across the foot of the bed. It doesn't feel real. This sterile room. This silence. The faint beep of machines behind me.
I'm still here.
Still breathing.
Lucian's sitting by the window, legs stretched out, arms folded, staring into nothing. He's in the same clothes from last night—rumpled hoodie, tired eyes. Oliver's asleep on the couch across the room, one arm slung over his eyes.
They never left.
I shift slightly, and Lucian's head snaps to me. His expression softens instantly. He's next to me in two steps, brushing the hair back from my face like it's the only thing anchoring him.
"Hey," he says quietly. "You okay?"
I nod, though I'm not sure I am. Everything inside me still aches—not just my bod
