Chapter 13: Quiet Moments, Stirring Hearts
The next morning, Lia woke up slowly, still exhausted from the emotional whirlwind of the previous day. Her mother was resting comfortably, stable, and her father was beside her, giving her a reassuring smile.
"I… I'm glad she's okay," Lia whispered, squeezing her mom's hand. Her heart was still racing, and a mix of relief and lingering fear left her weak.
"See, princess? Everything is going to be alright," her father said, brushing a stray hair from her face. "Now get some rest, you've been through a lot."
Lia nodded and stepped into the kitchen, hoping for something light to eat. Her eyes fell on the breakfast Ethan had thoughtfully left—a neatly arranged plate with her favorite dishes: soft scrambled eggs, freshly toasted bread, and fruit slices.
She smiled softly. "He… actually made this," she murmured to herself, touched by the gesture. Before she could start, she clasped her hands together briefly. "God, please let everything stay okay… I'm not ready to lose anyone else yet."
Ethan's voice startled her from behind the doorway. "What are you saying, princess?" he asked, leaning casually against the doorframe, looking impossibly handsome even in his casual clothes.
Lia blushed furiously. "Uh… nothing!" she stammered, realizing she had been caught praying aloud.
Ethan smirked, walking closer. "Hmm… I see. Talking to a higher power about surviving breakfast?" he teased lightly.
She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile. "You're impossible," she muttered.
Later, when Lia returned to school, she felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. Ava had joined her, keeping a protective, watchful eye. As Lia walked into the classroom, a classmate shyly approached her, handing her flowers and a note of apology from the previous day. Lia's face lit up. "Thank you… that's really sweet," she said, tucking the flowers carefully into her bag.
When she sat down, Ethan was there, headphones resting around his neck, looking effortlessly cool and intimidating at the same time. The moment he saw her, he removed them and resumed his usual "rule enforcement."
"Twenty rules before break," Lia groaned silently. Her heart sank, realizing that all hope of him being gentle were gone…
After class, Ava decided they needed a break. "Let's go somewhere fun, just us," she said. "A nice bar or restaurant like NOCTURNE —somewhere to enjoy ourselves."
The afternoon was relaxing. They laughed over dessert, shared bites of decadent chocolate cakes, and tried fancy drinks while avoiding the chaos of school. But Lia's joy was short-lived when her phone buzzed violently.
It was her father. "Lia… your mom… she fainted again. You need to come home, immediately," his urgent voice cut through the light-hearted atmosphere.
Without hesitation, Lia bolted from the table. Ava grabbed her, panic written all over her face. "Lia! Wait!"
But Lia's feet moved fast, carrying her toward the bus stop as Ava frantically tracked her on GPS. "Hold on, Lia! I'm right behind you!"
Meanwhile, Ryan, who had gone to the bathroom, returned and noticed the chaos. His face darkened with frustration. "What?! They left me?!" he yelled, stomping toward the exit.
Ethan, who had been nearby on his own business errands, heard about Lia's emergency through Ava. Without a moment's hesitation, he raced to her side, driving faster than usual, heart pounding with worry.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, Lia ran into her father's arms, tears streaming down her face. "Dad… Mom…"
Her father hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Lia. She's stable. Everything will be alright. You're here now—that's what matters."
Ethan stood a few feet away, silently observing. He couldn't help the surge of protectiveness he felt, his chest tightening as he watched Lia cling to her family. He knew, in that moment, he would do anything to keep her safe, even if it meant breaking every one of his own rules.