The moment did not break immediately after Vivian's voice returned. It stretched instead, fragile and sacred, wrapping itself around everyone in the room as though time itself had slowed, afraid that moving too quickly might undo what had just been restored. Sebastian held her carefully, his arms firm yet controlled, as if he understood she was still standing on the edge of something and even the slightest imbalance could pull her back.
Vivian's fingers tightened weakly against his shirt, her breathing uneven but real, steady enough to anchor her to the present. Her face remained pale, her strength not yet returned, but her eyes were open, clear, and locked onto him in a way that erased every fear that had filled the room moments before.
"I thought…" she began softly, her voice strained and fragile.
