Victoria sat by Ethan’s bedside, the soft hum of the hospital room filling the quiet moments between them. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint scent of fresh flowers from the bouquet on the windowsill. Ethan had finally woken up after a few days of rest, and though he was still weak, his smile, when it appeared, was as bright as ever.

She reached for his hand, gently squeezing it as she smiled down at him. “How are you feeling today, honey?” she asked, her voice low and soothing, the words coming naturally as she had said them a hundred times before.

Ethan blinked at her, his small...