RECOVERY

ANNA

The soft hum of the hospital room’s air conditioning fills the quiet space. I’m staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. The pain in my side is a dull throb now, nothing compared to the agony I felt before the surgery. Still, the tightness lingers, reminding me of how close things got.

I shift slightly on the bed, wincing as the ache sharpens. It’s hard to focus on anything, especially with my mind swirling. I still can’t believe this happened. Surgery. I’ve never had surgery before, and the thought of something like this hitting me so suddenly terrifies me. One minute I was just nauseous, thinking it would pass, and the next I was being rushed to the hospital with Damien by my side.

He’s been here the whole time, holding my hand, watching over me. It’s strange, seeing him like this. I’ve always been confused about his feelings, and always kept my guard up, but now, his attention is unwavering. His care feels different.

“Baby?” His voice breaks