~Laurent
Ciela sat alone, her hair spilling like starlight over her shoulder, her fork barely touching the food on her plate. Her gaze drifted, unfocused, as if she wasn’t really here at all.
My legs carried me before I could think. I slid onto the bench across from her.
Her fork froze midair. She looked up—and her eyes widened. Her mouth parted, a soft gasp breaking free.
“…Laurent?”
I gave a nervous smile. “Yeah… I’m back.”
She set her fork down, staring at me like I was a ghost. “I—I thought you were still in the hospital. You… you shouldn’t even be walking yet.”
I shrugged, though my chest still ached faintly. “But I am. No need to worry.”
A flicker of relief crossed her face before she caught it and straightened. “How are you feeling?”
“Better than I expected.” I flexed my fi
