The hospital room felt quiet than usual, but when Aiden pushed the door open, he paused for a moment.

Inside, Alina wasn’t alone. His family had already gathered around her bed with plates of food placed neatly on the side table, and Alina was smiling faintly as she listened to them chat. Jason sat closest, peeling an apple for her while Jessica poured juice into a cup. Grandma Linda was fussing with the blanket, making sure it was tucked around Alina’s waist.

For a second, Aiden ...