Mara's POV

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” David said softly, his eyes searching mine. “I just… I wanted to know you were okay.”

My chest tightened. The sight of him beside my bed, so close, so real, left me breathless.

“It’s fine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He shifted slightly, careful not to overwhelm me. “I was really scared when you were taken,” he admitted. “It was hard… seeing you like that. I thought I’d lost you.”

Hearing him talk like this reminded me of the past. He had always been caring. It was frustrating why these memories chose this moment to resurface.

I swallowed, curling my hands...