The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden glow across the room. I awoke nestled against Ethan, the lingering exhaustion from the previous day slowly giving way to a sense of calm.
The shrill vibration of my phone shattered the silence.
My heart skipped a beat as I reached for it.
It was a message from the hospital.
Your brother’s condition is stable. He is responding well to treatment.
A profound wave of relief swept over me, loosening the knot of anxiety that had been tightening around my chest for days.
Without thinking, I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer of gratitude.
Beside me, Ethan stirred and slipped an arm around my waist, drawing me a little closer.
“You’re smiling,” he observed, his voice still husky with sleep.
I turned towa
