Dawn slipped into the medical tent like it owned the place, pouring liquid gold through the thin canvas walls and bathing the makeshift ward in a soft, almost holy glow. The air smelled like antiseptic trying very hard to mask the scent of morning dew drifting in from the conference grounds outside. Somewhere beyond the tent, the four-day tech extravaganza was stretching awake—keynotes to be delivered, deals to be finalized, egos to be bruised. Final day energy. The kind where big dreams came true and buried secrets started tapping insistently on the surface, asking to be acknowledged.
Eliana Bennett stirred, her body protesting before her mind fully caught up. The accident had left its signature behind—fading bruises blooming across her warm brown skin like reluctant souvenirs of chaos. Pain lingered, but it was dull now, more annoying than alarming. She blinked her eyes open and focused on the familiar figure stationed faithfully at her side.
