The hours after Ruby woke blurred together, threaded with tears and laughter, relief and disbelief. Stefan barely left her side, except when Doctor Noreen insisted on examining her.
Ruby drifted in and out of sleep — her body weak, her voice fragile — but each time she opened her eyes, Stefan was there, his hand in hers.
Sometimes Rayna would be perched on the edge of the bed, whispering softly to her. Sometimes Ethan lingered in the corner, his steady presence a quiet reassurance.
And sometimes Elizabeth came, her motherly touch smoothing the blanket or brushing Ruby's hair back from her forehead. She'd insisted on coming after hearing Ruby was finally awake.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the room was filled with something other than fear: it was filled with hope.
"Try a sip," Rayna said gently, holding a straw to Ruby's lips.
