The next morning, Ethan couldn’t shake the guilt that weighed heavily on his chest. The words Camilla had whispered to him the night before echoed in his mind: "I’m poor." They crushed him more than any of the battles he’d faced overseas. How could he have been so blind to the struggles she’d been hiding? How had he not seen it sooner?
As he watched her sleep, her fragile body curled beneath the sheets, a protective instinct rose within him. He couldn’t change her past, but he would do everything in his power to ensure she’d never feel that alone again.
“Camilla,” he whispered, his voice gentle as he leaned down to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open.
She gave him a small, tired smile. "Good morning."
He sat down beside her, his hand finding
