ETHAN POV

I sat beside Emma's hospital bed, staring at her face while she looked anywhere but at me.

The room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the monitor beside her. Every few seconds, Emma's fingers moved nervously against the blanket. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were swollen, and there was a faint tremble in her lips that she couldn't seem to control.

I wanted to reach for her.

I did.

My fingers gently covered hers.

She flinched at first, then slowly relaxed.

"Emma."

She ...