An hour passed before Leo finally stood, stretching his tense muscles. "I'm heading back to the hotel to rest," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I have a body checkup and a few tests tomorrow."
His gaze softened as he looked at her. "Come with me, Ava. You need sleep too."
But she shook her head. "I'll clean up and come back after," she insisted.
Leo exhaled sharply, frustration flickering across his face. "Ava—"
"I need to see him alive with my own eyes, Leo." Ava insisted on staying.
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly unhappy, but eventually sighed in defeat. "Fine. But don't stay too long."
After an hour, there were no major updates on Ethan— just echoes of what she'd already been told. He was stable. Still under observation. The doctors had assured her there was nothing life-threatening. But until she saw him—really saw him, awake and breathing on his own— relief remained out of reach.
Eventually they both left for the hotel.
Back at the hotel, the silence felt heavier than before. She showered, trying to scrub off the weight of the day, then grabbed a small snack—some bread, a few bites of fruit. Her mind was elsewhere, already planning her return to the hospital.
As she moved toward the door, Leo stepped into the frame, blocking her path. "Ava, no." His voice was low, strained. He didn't raise it, but the firmness was undeniable.
She met his eyes, her own pleading. "Please," was all she could manage.
He held her gaze for a moment—long enough for her to see the frustration simmering beneath his silence. Then he let out a heavy sigh, jaw tight as stone, before turning away and disappearing into the bedroom. The door clicked shut behind him.
Ava stood there, guilt blooming in her chest.' I'll make it up to him later' She had to.
Later that evening, the call from the hospital finally came. Ethan had passed the critical phase and had been moved to a private room. She was allowed to see him.
At the hospital, a small group from the surgical team met her outside his door, their expressions calm and professional.
"He's stable and recovering well," one of them said gently. "The car hit him on the side—several fractures, mostly to the ribs and shoulder but small impact only. But no head trauma. He's very lucky. That's a very good sign."
Ava's breath caught, then slowly released in a tremble. Her eyes burned, but she blinked away the sting. "Thank you," she whispered. 'Ethan is okay' she thought. After answering her questions, the doctors left—except for one. Siddharth lingered near the doorway, his arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression.
"Ichika..." His voice was softer this time, nostalgic. "I never thought I'd see you like this. You look good after all these years. I really miss you, girl."
Ava's body stiffened. She turned her back on him and walked away. She spent the rest of the night at the hotel, planning to return early the next morning. Before leaving, she pressed a kiss to Leo's lips as he lay half-asleep.
As she arrived at the hospital the next day and waited for an hour, finally Ethan was awake and had already approved her visit. She knocked gently on his door.
"Come in," his voice called out.
The moment she stepped inside and saw him sitting upright, tears welled in her eyes. Without thinking, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Ethan gasped slightly but chuckled, patting her back. "Hey… I'm okay now. Don't worry."
Ava pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Do you have any idea how much you scared me?"
Ethan's expression softened. He lifted his hand and gently tilted her chin up, his gaze searching hers. "And I'd do it again," he murmured. "I'd rather die for you than let you die because of me, Ava."
A shiver ran through her.
He exhaled, shaking his head. "It's my fault… well, my family 's fault. But still—I couldn't live with myself if anything ever happened to you, Ava. That's how much you meant to me."
Her breath hitched.
Before she could say anything, suddenly Ethan's hands cupped the sides of her face, pulling her closer. And then—he kissed her. For a moment, her mind screamed at her to push him away. 'This is wrong'.
Ethan's lips brushed against hers, desperate and aching. Her mind screamed—this is wrong. Then, reality hit her like a slap. 'No! This isn't right.' She pushed him away, breathless, hands trembling. "Ethan, we can't."
Then—
The door swung open.
Ava's body froze.
Oh, no!
Heart pounding, she turned—just in time to see Siddharth standing in the doorway. His eyes flickered between them, lips curling slightly in amusement.
She barely caught a glimpse of him before he spun on his heel and walked away. Shit. Ava bolted after him.
"Siddharth—wait!"
Siddharth stopped and turned, "The student has become the master isn't it, Ichika?" He smirked, his voice laced with mockery before vanishing down the hallway, slipping into an off-limits lab.
She stopped at the door, panting.
What have I done?