[Private Room]
The room was quiet in the way only hospital rooms ever were.
Evelyn sat beside the bed, her fingers wrapped tightly around Alexander's hand as if letting go might make him disappear again.
She hadn't moved since they brought him in and hadn't noticed the ache in her back or the sting in her eyes.
Then his fingers twitched.
At first, she thought she imagined it.
Her breath caught. "Alexander?" she whispered, leaning closer.
His lashes fluttered once, then again.
Slowly, painfully, his eyes opened.
Relief hit her so hard her chest hurt.
"You are here," he murmured, voice rough and barely there.
Her tears spilled instantly. "I am here," she said, squeezing his hand harder. "I am right here."
He tried to turn his head, frowned slightly. "Why do you look like you have been crying for a week?"
She let out a broken laugh through her tears. "Because you scared me half to death."
