ADAM’S POVWhen we finally touch down at the hospital, a team of doctors and nurses is waiting, ready to take over. They move quickly, transferring Aria from the helicopter to a gurney and rushing her inside. I try to follow, but one of the doctors gently but firmly holds me back, telling me they need space to work. I watch as they wheel her away, her hand slipping out of mine, and I’m left standing there, feeling more helpless than ever.But as the hospital doors close behind her, I can’t shake the feeling that this is far from over.The waiting room feels like a suffocating void, filled with an oppressive silence that weighs heavily on all of us. The usual hum of the hospital, the distant beeping of machines, and the soft murmurs of medical staff moving about seem distant, muted by the overwhelming anxiety that has taken hold. Time feels suspended, each minute dragging on for what feels like an eternity.Neal paces back and forth across the room, his footsteps echoing sharply agains
ADAM’S POVI approach Aria's room with a mixture of relief and dread. The doctor's words echo in my mind—her situation is under control, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet. The fear of what I might see grips me, but the need to be near her is stronger.As I step into the room, the first thing I notice is the quiet, almost reverent atmosphere. The soft beeping of the machines and the gentle hum of the air conditioning are the only sounds, creating a strange, serene environment.Aria lies on the hospital bed, her head heavily bandaged, a stark contrast to the softness of her features. The bandage wraps around her head, hiding the wound that caused so much fear and pain, but even beneath the layers of gauze, she looks peaceful. Her skin is pale, but there’s a certain calmness in her expression, as if she’s merely sleeping, far removed from the chaos that brought her here.Despite the situation, she still looks beautiful, a beauty that seems untouched by the ordeal she’s been throu
NEAL’S POVThe anxiety gnaws at me, growing sharper with each passing hour. Aria still hasn’t woken up. Every time I glance at the clock, I’m reminded that it’s been fifteen hours since the doctor told us she would regain consciousness in three or four. But there she lies, still and silent, her head wrapped in those white bandages. It’s unbearable.I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Adam for everything he has done. If it weren’t for him, I shudder to think what might have happened. But then there’s the frustration, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Dad’s decision to announce that reward—it feels like a reckless, thoughtless move now. Sure, he was desperate, but it brought more danger down on us than we could handle. Those pirates wouldn’t have come after us if not for that reward, and now, Aria’s paying the price.“My Aria…”I hear my Dad sobbing in the corner. He must be blaming himself for his move.“She’s still not up… Oh, Lord.”Nathan is s
ADAM’S POVAria slowly opens her eyes, blinking as if trying to clear a fog from her mind. Relief washes over me, but it's tinged with a deep anxiety. Her gaze finds me, and something in her expression softens, almost like a flicker of recognition. But instead of calling out for her brothers or dad, she beckons me closer. This is unusual—she's always been closer to them, especially in moments of vulnerability. But now, it’s me she’s reaching for, her eyes searching mine for comfort.I step closer, feeling a mix of hope and dread. She doesn’t look angry or upset, but there’s a strangeness in her demeanor, something that doesn’t quite fit.“A-dam…”Her voice is soft, almost tender, as she whispers my name, and for a moment, I dare to believe that everything will be okay. I reach out and she manages to form some words.“When are you taking me home?”“Soon, love.”“I want to go home.”While I am glad that she’s responding, I am puzzled at her insisting to go home with me, instead of with
ARIA’S POVThe moment I open my eyes, a dull, throbbing pain radiates through my head, like a relentless drumbeat. My vision is blurry, and for a few seconds, I struggle to piece together where I am and why. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the faint hum of medical machines bring an unsettling sense of déjà vu. My surroundings feel familiar, yet distant, like a place I've been to before but can't quite place.As my vision begins to clear, I see Adam sitting beside me, his presence a steadying force amidst the confusion swirling in my mind. Relief washes over me at the sight of him, as though he’s the only thing tethering me to reality. The pain in my head intensifies as I try to remember how I ended up here. I grasp at memories, but they slip through my fingers like sand. I know Adam and I have just been married. I can still picture our wedding day—the way he looked at me, the way I felt so safe and loved. But everything after that is a blur.Although for some reasons, the wedding
ARIA’S POVThe silence in the room is almost suffocating. As I lie there in the hospital bed, the pain in my head throbs with a relentless rhythm, each pulse a reminder of something I can’t quite grasp. My thoughts are scattered, disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle that refuse to fit together. I don’t know how long I’ve been here or why I’m in this hospital, but seeing Adam by my side when I opened my eyes brought an unexpected sense of relief.I remember that we had just been married—that’s the last clear memory I have. The joy, the promises, the sense of a future filled with love and happiness. But then… nothing. A blank space where the days—or weeks?—should be. Now, I’m here, and everything feels off-kilter. The room is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like something is wrong. Neal, Nathan, and Dad are here too, their faces drawn with worry, their eyes filled with an emotion I can’t quite name. It’s almost like they’re afraid of something, but what?When I ask them what
ARIA’S POVAfter our conversation, Adam gently requests that I rest, reassuring me that they’ll all be back later today. His voice is calm, soothing, and I can tell he’s trying his best to keep me comfortable.“I’ll be staying with you tonight.”When I ask if he’s sure, because I’m starting to feel a little better, he simply nods and says he wants to be with me.“OK… Thanks.”There’s a warmth in his eyes, a tenderness that makes my heart swell. It’s so sweet of him to stay, and I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me.“We’ll also stay with you, so that Adam can go home.”Neal, Nathan, and Dad chime in, letting me know that they’ll take turns staying with me until I’m discharged. Their words are comforting, their presence even more so. I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people, all of whom care so deeply for me. As they take their leave, I find myself sinking back into the bed, my eyes growing heavy. The exhaustion is overwhelming, and before I know it, I’m drif
ARIA’S POVDays turn into a blur of cautious routine, where the pain in my head diminishes but never fully disappears. It hovers at the edge of my consciousness, a constant reminder of what I cannot access. My brothers, Nathan and Neal, and my father take turns staying with me, their faces a mixture of concern and forced optimism. They are trying their best to keep my spirits up, but something feels off, like a puzzle missing its final piece.There’s an odd tension in the room whenever Adam is mentioned or when he comes by. They exchange glances, as if communicating something they don’t want me to pick up on. It’s subtle, but I notice. It’s in the way Nathan’s eyes dart away when I ask about Adam, or how Dad’s voice grows quieter when Adam enters the room. Even Neal, usually so straightforward, seems to be tiptoeing around something. It’s as if they’re hiding something from me—or perhaps from themselves.Then there’s Adam himself. I miss him deeply, especially at night. His absence be