That night, Emilia made her way down the hall to Raymond’s room. After the events of the day, she needed to see him, to reassure herself that he was truly on the mend. She opened the door quietly and stepped inside, half-expecting him to still be resting, but her eyes widened when she saw him sitting up in bed, a dinner plate balanced on his lap.

He was eating a hearty meal of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, and the sight made her heart swell with relief. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as she approached the bed.

“Well, look who’s back to his old...