The hospital room was quiet, with only the soft beeping of the monitor and the gentle hum of machines in the background. Elias lay back against the pillows, his shoulder still wrapped in clean bandages. His breathing was steady now, and the color had returned to his face.

Maya sat beside him, watching him rest. She had been there all night, refusing to leave. A tray of untouched food sat on the table. She hadn’t eaten much either. Her mind was still full of everything that had happened.

After a long silence, Elias slowly opened his eyes. He looked over at her and gave a faint smile. “You’re still here.”...