Kieran lay on the bed, Genesis curled around him like a koala. She was fast asleep, but her grip hadn’t lessened. Even in sleep, her fingers clung tightly to the fabric of his shirt, and her legs were tangled with his like vines refusing to let go.

He couldn’t sleep.

He didn’t dare.

His eyes stayed open, fixed on the ceiling, while the soft rhythm of her shaky breaths brushed against his skin.

His mind drifted back to what Doctor Aiden had said after checking her.

“Her body finally reacted to something sharp—something unexpected. That sound must have triggered the panic… but your voice grounded her.

The moment she heard...