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Chapter 107 – Ethan's POV
"Even in Sleep, She Chose Me"
The first thing I felt was warmth. Not the burning heat from the fever that had gripped me for hours—but something softer. Steady. Comforting.
The second thing I felt… was her.
Amara.
Her scent, the gentle weight of her arm resting across my chest, the quiet rhythm of her breath tickling my neck.
I blinked my eyes open slowly, everything still hazy and dim. The room was dark, lit only by the streetlamp glow seeping through the curtains. My muscles ached, my throat was dry, but my head—finally—felt a little clearer.
The fever had broken.
I was alive.
And she was still here.
My eyes shifted to her face, barely inches away. Her cheek was pressed against the pillow, her lips parted slightly as she slept, eyebrows furrowed even in rest. Like she hadn't truly relaxed. Like she'd been… worried.
A deep pull tightened in my chest.
She came.
Even after everything I'd put her through, all the times I'd kept my distance or acted like I didn't care… she still came. She took care of me. She stayed.
No one had ever done that before.
No one had ever loved me like that—silently, fiercely, without asking for anything in return.
I reached up carefully, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She stirred a little but didn't wake.
My fingers traced the curve of her jaw gently.
"Amara," I whispered.
She didn't answer, but a soft sigh escaped her lips, and her head moved closer into my touch. I stared at her, my throat tightening.
I wanted to say everything I felt.
That she made me feel human. That she was the only person I'd ever let in this deeply. That if she left me now, I wasn't sure I'd know how to breathe without her.
But instead, I did the one thing I couldn't stop myself from doing.
I leaned in.
Slowly.
Cautiously.
And I kissed her.
Her lips were soft, warm, familiar—and I meant for it to be just a brush, a whisper of what I couldn't say aloud.
But then…
She kissed me back.
Not fully awake. Not entirely conscious. But still—her lips moved against mine gently, like instinct. Like her body remembered me even if her mind hadn't caught up.
And that was it.
That was all it took to undo me.
My hand slid behind her neck, deepening the kiss just for a moment before pulling back, afraid of waking her. Afraid she'd pull away if she knew.
But she didn't stir again. Her breathing evened out, soft and steady.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling, heart pounding in a way it hadn't in a very long time.
Because I knew now.
It wasn't just desire. Wasn't just attraction.
I loved her.
Deeply.
Wildly.
Painfully.
And I wasn't going to lose her.
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Time passed. I didn't know how long. Maybe an hour. Maybe just minutes.
But I stayed awake, watching her sleep. Letting her presence anchor me. Remind me that even when I was at my weakest—burning with fever, barely coherent—she came.
She didn't run.
She didn't hesitate.
She chose me.
And now?
It was my turn to choose her.
No more games.
No more distance.
No more pretending she didn't mean everything to me.
---
At some point, she stirred. Her hand shifted on my chest, and her eyelids fluttered open. She blinked up at me, confusion clouding her eyes.
"You're awake?" she croaked, voice sleepy and soft.
I smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Yeah… a little while now."
She sat up slightly, frowning as she touched my forehead. "Your fever's gone."
"Thanks to you," I whispered.
Her expression softened, eyes shining in the dim light. "I was really worried."
"I know."
She looked down, suddenly flustered. "You should've called someone. You scared me, Ethan."
"I didn't think anyone would come," I admitted quietly. "I didn't think… you'd still care."
She looked at me sharply. "Of course I care. Don't say that."
I stared at her—bare, honest, vulnerable.
"Amara," I said, voice thick, "when I woke up and saw you beside me… I don't think I've ever felt that kind of peace before. You being here… it means everything to me."
Her lips parted, eyes wide, breath catching.
"And if I kissed you while you were asleep," I added gently, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to steal that moment from you."
She blinked.
"You kissed me?" she asked softly.
I nodded.
She touched her lips absently, then looked at me. "Did I… kiss you back?"
"Yeah," I whispered, "you did."
Silence fell between us.
Then, slowly, she leaned in—eyes never leaving mine—and pressed a soft, intentional kiss to my lips.
This time, she was awake.
And I knew it wasn't just instinct.
It was choice.
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End of Chapter 107 – Ethan's POV