ELIJAH'S POV
I woke up to the sterile scent of medicine. The bright hospital lights stung my eyes as I struggled to sit up.
Laura was seated beside me, a gentle smile gracing her face.
Seeing her smile—after all the pain I had caused—was the only thing I had been wishing for.
“Hi… are you okay?” she asked, her sapphire eyes glistening with relief. Her smile lit up the entire room.
“I’m fine,” I croaked. “Is your father… okay?” I pushed myself up, trying to sit straighter.
“Be careful,” she rushed to support me. “He’s responding well. Thanks to you.”
Her eyes softened. “Thank you, Elijah.”
Relief flooded through me. For once, I had done something right. I couldn’t save my own father, not after that horrific accident that shattered my childhood—but saving hers gave me a strange kind
