s voice soft but filled with

oom was so quiet, only the beeping of the machines could be heard, and it felt lik

nd hard effort, Ava'

in that sterile, dimly lit

to make sense of the world around her. She blinked, the confusion

g made

. "Ava," he said softly, leaning closer, "you're in the hosp

hung heavy in the air. For a moment, she couldn't understand what the doctor was sa

fusion, her body weak, and her world had shifted in ways she couldn't begin to understand. She blinked slowly as she looked around, her eyes adjusting t

distant, and yet painfully real at the same time. Her last memory was blurry of speeding down a

s bed, and the doctor's w

said. "You've been in

been asleep only for a few hours, perhaps days, but it couldn't definitely be three years. Panic rose

extensive physical therapy, and how memory loss was common in cases like hers. But she barely hea

ore her head began to hurt a little and she couldn't remember anything.

e background, the door creaked open

with a calm, deliberate grace, his every step was like he owned the place. The light from the window

his voice was smooth and cal

ething about him, the way he carried himself, the way his eyes seemed to never quite leave her, made her feel as though he wasn't a stranger

, her voice barely a whi

all soft smile. "It's me, Ava.

ike a punch to the gut. Her eyes widened in shock, her heart pounded in her chest. Husband? This

n to find some memory, any memory, that would make sense of his words. But the

ember you," she whisper

ng to soothe her. But there was something in his eyes.. something possessive

I've always been here. I've been waiting for you to wake up." He reached out, gently

His fingers were cold against her skin, his t

ng at her throat. "How... how long?" she asked, her voice

r years," Ethan replied, hi

ersation, as though everything made perfect

ears?

n't ad

ng sense of dread, like a shadow looming over her. Her instincts screamed at her that something was very

is throat. "Mr. Cole has been overseeing your care since

ne to bring her here? Her eyes flicked back to Ethan, and she sa

ust a concerned husband? Why did it feel like he