Morning arrived without a sound.
Sunlight filtered slowly through the gap in the curtains, casting thin streaks across the hospital room floor. Everything seemed calm. Too calm for someone who knew the storm was far from over.
Sophia opened her eyes slowly.
Fatigue still weighed heavily on her body.
Yet her consciousness.
was sharper than before.
It did not take long for her to remember.
Blood.
Pain.
And the one thing that had almost been taken from her.
Her hand moved gently to her stomach.
It was still there.
Still holding on.
She exhaled slowly.
That sense of relief.
did not last long.
Because she knew.
the price for all this had not yet been fully paid.
On the other side of the room.
Adrian Blackwood sat in a chair.
Still wearing the clothes from last night.
He had not slept.
Had not moved far.
As if even taking one step away.
was too great a risk.
His gaze lifted instantly the moment he saw Sophia awake.
"You are awake."
His voice was low.
