Nnenna smiled faintly, her lips dry, but the expression reached her eyes. "Carl… you look like you haven't bathed in a week." Her voice was hoarse but teasing.
Carl let out a wet laugh, sniffing, shaking his head. "If you knew how scared we've been, you wouldn't be joking right now." He gently squeezed her hand, careful not to hurt her.
Behind him, Arthur entered more slowly. His tall figure cast a shadow across the room, his usual calm expression firmly in place, but his eyes betrayed him. They lingered on her face, sharp and intense, as though he needed to confirm with his own eyes that she was truly alive.
He didn't rush to her side like Carl. Instead, he stood by the bed for a long moment, arms crossed, his jaw clenched as if holding back words.
"Arthur…" Nnenna whispered, her smile softening when she saw him.
