The soft sound of monitors filled the quiet hospital room.
Aria's eyes slowly fluttered open, her head throbbing as she blinked at the white ceiling above her. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was — until the memory hit her like lightning.
Ethan.
She tore off the blanket and stumbled to her feet.
Ignoring the nurses' calls, she rushed out of her room barefoot, her hospital gown flowing behind her as she ran down the corridor.
She found his room — Room 208.
Her trembling hands pushed the door open.
Ethan lay still, pale and fragile, the sound of the heart monitor too slow, too weak.
Tubes and wires surrounded him, and for a moment, she couldn't even breathe.
"Ethan…" she whispered, walking closer. "It's me… it's Aria."
No response.
Her knees hit the cold floor beside his bed. Tears streamed down her face.
She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her cheek.
"Please wake up," she begged softly. "You promised me you wouldn't leave. Please, Ethan… it's me, Aria."
For a long moment, nothing.
Then—his fingers twitched.
Aria gasped, eyes wide. "Ethan? Ethan!"
Slowly, his eyes opened. A weak smile touched his lips.
"You're crying again," he murmured faintly. "You always cry when it comes to me."
Her tears fell harder. "Don't say that. You're going to be okay, you hear me? You're going to walk out of here with me."
He smiled again, barely breathing now.
"Now I understand… what it feels like to be loved," he whispered. "By someone who once made me feel so small."
"Stop," she said, shaking her head. "Don't talk like that."
"I can rest now… with a peaceful heart," he said, his eyes drifting. "Knowing someone loves me so much."
"No, no, my love," she cried, holding his hand tighter. "You're not leaving me. You said we'd grow old together, get married, have kids—remember? Please, Ethan, please stay with me. I can't lose you, not after everything."
He looked at her, eyes full of quiet love. "Aria… this is the forever you gave me."
He smiled faintly. "I love you so much. Don't cry too much, baby."
And then—
the monitor flatlined.
"Ethan?" she whispered. "No… no, please!"
The room spun. She ran out, screaming down the hall, "DOCTOR! PLEASE, HELP HIM!"
Her parents came running as she fell to her knees, shaking uncontrollably.
Ethan's mother was already crying, clutching his little sister who kept asking through her tears, "Mom, why is she crying? Is big brother okay?"
Nurses and doctors rushed past them, flooding into his room.
Aria pressed her palms to her face, sobbing so hard her chest hurt.
"I didn't tell him," she cried. "I didn't tell him how much I love him… please, God, bring him back!"
Minutes later, the door opened. The doctor stood there silently, his eyes heavy with sorrow.
Aria shook her head before he even spoke. "No…"
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "We lost him."
The world fell apart.
Her scream echoed through the hallway, raw and broken.
"ETHAN! NO! YOU PROMISED ME!"
Her father caught her before she collapsed again, holding her tight as she hit his chest, crying until her voice cracked.
The sound of her grief filled the hospital, while somewhere inside that quiet room, the boy who changed her heart lay perfectly still — his final smile frozen, peaceful, and full of love.