Chapter 67
Ethan
Something shifts.
Small.
Barely there.
But I feel it.
Her fingers twitch against my arm.
Everything in me snaps tight.
“Ava?”
Nothing.
Then—
again.
Stronger this time.
“Ava—hey—come on—”
Her chest rises—
deeper—
a breath dragging in like she’s forcing it past something heavy.
“Yeah,” I whisper, leaning closer. “That’s it—come on…”
Her lashes flutter.
Slow.
Heavy.
Then—
her eyes open.
Unfocused—
then find me.
Always me.
Relief doesn’t settle.
It hits.
Explodes.
She’s here.
She’s actually here.
“You… look terrible,” she murmurs.
Weak.
Dry.
A laugh breaks out of me—rough, unsteady.
God.
That’s her.
“That’s the first thing you go with?”
Her lips twitch.
“Honesty…”
My hand comes up, cupping her face, holding her there—steadying both of us.
“You’re not funny.”
“I am a little.”
I shake my head, breath uneven.
Then lean in, pressing my forehead to hers.
“You scared me.”
Her expression softens.
“I know.”
“Not okay.”
“I’m still here.”
Yeah.
She is.
My grip tightens slightly around her.
Like I’m making sure she stays.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “You are.”