Chapter 42 Ethan
Ethan
“Her fingers moved.”
The words snap everything into focus.
I’m already there—leaning in, eyes locked on her hand in mine.
Waiting.
Watching.
A shift.
Small.
But there.
“Ava.”
My voice sharpens without meaning to.
“Open your eyes.”
Come on.
Her fingers move again.
Stronger this time.
My grip tightens around hers before I can stop it.
Then—
her lashes flutter.
My chest locks.
“Yeah,” I breathe, leaning closer. “That’s it… come on…”
Slow.
Painfully slow.
Her eyes open.
Unfocused.
Searching—
Then they find me.
Always me.
Relief hits hard.
So hard it almost knocks the breath out of me.
“She’s back,” the medic says somewhere behind me.
I barely hear him.
I don’t need to.
I can see it.
Feel it.
“You scared me,” I say quietly.
Her lips part.
No sound at first.
Then—
“Not… my plan…”
A weak attempt.
Still her.
A rough breath leaves me—half laugh, half something else I don’t have a name for.
My hand lifts to her face, thumb brushing lightly across her cheek.
“You’re not allowed to do that again.”
Her eyes soften.
Even through the pain.
“I’ll… try…”
Not good enough.
Not even close.
But I nod anyway.
For now.
I lean in closer, voice dropping so it’s just for her.
“You stay,” I murmur. “You hear me? You stay with me this time.”
Her fingers tighten around mine.
Stronger.
“I’m… here…”
Yeah.
She is.
And I’m not letting that change.