Emma POV

Darkness pulled at me like thick water. Heavy. Sticky. I couldn’t breathe.

My chest burned first—like someone had poured fire straight into my lungs. Then the sharp ache in my throat. Then the cold needles spreading across my skin.

I didn’t know if I was dying or dreaming.

But I heard him.

A voice breaking. Cracking. Low… rough… desperate.

“Emma… please… stay with me.”

Ethan.

I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelashes refused to move. My body was stiff, ...