[Hospital]
The room felt lighter than it had in days.
Not because the machines were gone entirely or because the ache in Alexander's body had magically disappeared but because the worst had passed.
Alexander sat propped against the pillows, dressed in clean clothes instead of a hospital gown for the first time since the accident. His movements were slower, careful but his eyes were alert and steady again.
Evelyn stood close, pretending to focus on folding his discarded blanket while actually watching him from the corner of her eye. She was counting every breath, every blink, every small movement like reassurance she needed more than he did.
"You are hovering," Alexander said mildly.
She didn't look up. "I am being attentive."
He smiled faintly. "You have adjusted the blanket four times."
"It was uneven," she replied without missing a beat.
Lucas, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, snorted. "If you adjust it again, I am calling the nurse to restrain you."
