Chapter 8: Between Life and Death
Elena drifted in and out of consciousness for three days.
Machines breathed for her. IVs fed her. Nurses rotated shifts. Somewhere beyond the fog she sensed Preston’s presence—sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, always silent.
On the fourth morning her eyes opened properly for the first time.
The first face she saw was not Preston’s.
It was her older sister, Maya, who had flown in the moment she heard.
“The baby,” Elena whispered, her throat raw.
“She’s perfect,” Maya said immediately, eyes shining. “A little girl. Healthy. Strong. She’s waiting for you.”
Elena closed her eyes against the sudden rush of tears.
“And Preston?”
Maya’s expression hardened.
“He’s outside. He hasn’t left the hospital. But I told them not to let him in until you were ready.”
May you like
Elena was not ready.
Not yet.
