The soft noise from hospital machines and the warm rays of sunlight peeking through the curtain woke Aeliana. Her eyelashes fluttered as she adjusted to the brightness. The first thing she noticed was that the room was empty.
He must have rushed me to the hospital even when I protested. I should be thankful that he's harder to convince. My condition last night must have been bad.
Reinhardt was nowhere to be seen. The bed next to hers was untouched, and the room smelled faintly of clean linen and antiseptic.
For a second, she wondered if last night's events were just a dream, the explosion, the attack, the rushed flight back to the Imperial Capital. But the dull ache in her chest reminded her that everything was real.
A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts. Maria, Reinhardt's trusted assistant and distant cousin, stepped inside with a tranquil, composed expression. She wore a dark blue blouse, her ID clipped neatly to the front.
Aeliana had seen her a few times before, always standing a few steps behind Reinhardt's side. Today, she was alone.
"Good morning," Maria greeted politely. "The boss had to leave early. He's been busy with company matters since last night."
Aeliana gave a slight nod. She wasn't surprised, but she had hoped, just a little, that Reinhardt would at least check in.
They had been through so much, yet the space between them still felt too wide to cross. She didn't ask questions. She had learned long ago that silence could sometimes protect her more than words. And her marriage was meant to be distant.
Maria continued, "I've been assigned to assist you during your stay here. There are also guards stationed around the building to make sure you're safe. If you need anything, please let me know."
"Thank you," Aeliana replied softly.
A moment later, a doctor arrived, holding a tablet and a warm smile. "Mrs. Razalo, how are you feeling today?"
"A bit sore, but better," she replied.
"That's good to hear. Your lungs are recovering well. We ran some tests, and thankfully, you didn't absorb enough of the poisonous smoke to cause long-term damage. However, I do recommend you avoid any heavy physical activity and stress for the next few weeks."
Aeliana nodded. The doctor went on to explain the medications she needed to take and some food restrictions she had to follow. She listened carefully, thanked the doctor, and quietly leaned back against the pillow once the doctor left.
This is more troublesome than I thought.
Days passed, and Aeliana remained in the hospital under careful observation. She barely spoke unless necessary, and her days were mostly filled with reading, taking medicine, and typing on her laptop.
Maria stayed nearby, sometimes chatting lightly but never prying into Aeliana's activities. Though Maria noticed her working seriously on her laptop each night, she never dared ask what Aeliana was doing. There was a clear line of distance and mutual respect between them.
Still, Maria couldn't help but wonder. It wasn't unusual for artists to edit content or answer fan messages, but Aeliana's behavior was different. She didn't scroll through social media or look at her survival show's reactions. Instead, she seemed too focused on something else. It was as if the show did not mean anything to her.
Her eyes were always scanning documents or moving between programs only she understood. Once, Maria tried to glance at the screen, but it was all a blur of codes and locked files. Whatever Aeliana was working on, it wasn't simple.
Another week passed. The hospital stay had been peaceful, giving Aeliana the time her body needed to heal, but not the comfort her heart longed for. Reinhardt never visited, not even once. She wondered if he really was that busy, or if he simply didn't want to see her. Neither answer made her feel better.
On the seventh morning since her admission, the doctor returned with good news.
"Mrs. Razalo, you're ready to go home. Your condition has improved a lot, and as long as you follow your medicine schedule and rest properly, there's no need for you to stay here any longer."
"Thank you," Aeliana said politely.
Maria came in shortly after with a set of fresh clothes. "The car is ready to take you back. The house has been prepared."
Aeliana nodded, standing carefully as she packed her laptop and personal items. Though her body had grown stronger, the heaviness in her chest still remained. It wasn't caused by smoke. It was the absence of her husband.
She didn't expect flowers or warm words. That wasn't who Reinhardt was. But part of her had wondered if the man who rushed to save her would be the same man who would check in while she lay in a hospital bed. Instead, the space between them had grown wider, not closer.
When the doors of the hospital opened and the cool wind kissed her face, Aeliana stood still for a moment. She stared at the black car waiting outside, sleek and tinted. Maria gently guided her in, and they rode in silence. The streets of the Imperial Capital passed by like a blur.
From the outside, Aeliana looked like a composed, elegant woman returning from a brief recovery. But inside, her mind was racing with thoughts, not regrets, but with resolve. She stared out the window, then back at her closed laptop on her lap.
If Reinhardt didn't want to talk, that was fine. If he didn't want to be close, she wouldn't force it. But Aeliana was not the same girl who entered that forest as a contestant. She was different now. She was stronger, smarter, and more certain of her own abilities.
Back at home, the guards opened the gates, and the car pulled into the entrance. Servants stood like statues at the door, waiting to welcome her back. She walked in with grace, but her eyes swept the room for Reinhardt.
He wasn't there.
Aeliana returned to her room without another word. She sat on the bed, sighed softly, then opened her laptop. If Reinhardt would not come to her, she would build a world of her own, one he could never ignore.