Chapter 120

I floated in a sea of darkness, my mind foggy and disoriented. The beeping of machines and the antiseptic scent of the hospital gradually penetrated my consciousness.

My mind felt like I was floating, and I tried to bring my senses to focus.

As I struggled to open my eyes, a gentle touch caressed my hand. "Elodie, can you hear me?"

Chase's voice, laced with desperation and hope, cut through the haze.

I forced my eyelids open, blinking against the bright light. Chase's face came into focus, his eyes red-rimmed and haunted.

But it wasn't just his eyes that caught my attention. Stubble covered his jawline, and his hair was mussed, as if he'd been running his hands through it for days.

I had never seen him look so out of it. He looked like the whole world had tilted and fallen on him.

"Chase, you look like a lumberjack," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.

A mix of relief and amusement washed over his face. "Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice cracking.

Tears pricked at the corner