Hugo hadn't moved from the edge of the bed since morning.
The room was dim, curtains half-drawn, the soft glow of healing lamps casting a warm light over Lea's resting form. Her breathing was steady now—thankfully—but she still hadn't woken up.
And Hugo… hadn't eaten. Hadn't slept. Had barely even blinked.
He held her hand with both of his, thumb brushing gentle circles over her knuckles as if afraid she might vanish if he let go.
Marina peeked in from the doorway for the tenth time that afternoon.
"Hugo… you haven't eaten anything since yesterday."
He didn't answer.
Her heart pinched.
"Hugo, sweetheart, you need strength too."
Silence.
Only the sound of Lea's quiet breaths filled the room.
Marina exchanged a helpless glance with Kael, who stood just behind her—arms crossed but not in his usual stern way. Instead, his expression was unreadably soft.
It was strange. Surprising, even.
