Waking up felt… slow.
Like my body was still deciding if it wanted to cooperate.
My back ached—not sharp, just a deep soreness wrapped under layers of bandages. I shifted slightly and immediately regretted it.
"Okay… noted," I whispered to myself. "No sudden movements."
I blinked up at the ceiling.
Hospital.
Again.
Before I could even think—
The door burst open.
And suddenly—
Noise.
"Ayana!""Are you okay?!""Does it hurt?""You scared us!"
I barely had time to process before everyone crowded around me.
Liam.Nena.Jake.Mom.Dad—Mr. Ronson.Luca.Mark.
All of them.
All talking at once.
I blinked, overwhelmed but… weirdly warm inside.
"Guys—guys—" I mumbled, my voice soft. "I'm awake, not disappearing."
Mom was the first to reach me.
She grabbed my hand gently, her eyes already glossy.
"My baby…" she whispered, brushing my hair back carefully.
"I'm okay, Mom," I said softly.
Jake stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed like always—but his eyes were locked on me.
"You don't look okay," he muttered.
"I look amazing," I said. "Very hospital chic."
That earned the tiniest exhale from him.
Liam rushed forward next.
"You almost died," he said dramatically.
"I did not."
"You almost almost died."
"Still no."
Nena pushed him aside.
"Move!" she said, then leaned closer to me, her voice softer. "Do you know how scared I was?"
I smiled gently.
"I'm sorry…"
She squeezed my hand.
"Don't do that again."
"I'll schedule it out of my plans," I said.
Mark stayed a little behind, as usual.
"You're good right?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Yeah."
Simple. That was enough for him.
Then Luca stepped forward.
Quiet. Careful.
He took my hand like I might disappear if he didn't.
"I'm glad you're okay," he said softly.
I smiled at him.
"Me too."
Then—
I felt it.
That quiet shift.
I turned my head slowly toward the door.
And there he was.
Ethan.
He hadn't moved from the doorway.
Just standing there.
Watching.
But this time… his face wasn't blank.
His eyes—
They looked… tired.
Worried.
Like he hadn't rested for even a second.
Like he was still afraid this wasn't real.
Our eyes met.
I gave him a small nod.
Just one.
And something in his shoulders eased—just a little.
The others noticed too.
One by one…
They stepped back.
Giving space.
Letting him come forward.
Ethan walked toward me slowly.
Carefully.
Like every step mattered.
Like I mattered.
He stopped right beside the bed, hesitating for half a second.
I didn't.
I lifted my arms slightly.
He immediately leaned in and hugged me.
Not tight.
Not rushed.
Just… steady.
Careful of my back.
His hand resting gently against me like he was making sure I was really there.
"I'm glad you're okay," he said quietly.
His voice was softer than I'd ever heard it.
"I'm fine," I murmured. "Nothing happened to me."
He pulled back just enough to look at me.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"I don't ever want to hear that again," he said.
Not angry.
Just… honest.
Like the thought alone scared him.
I blinked.
Then smiled a little.
"Okay."
There was a small silence.
Warm.
Soft.
Everyone watching but no one interrupting.
Then I tilted my head slightly.
"Did you cry?"
He froze.
Sniffed once.
Then quickly shook his head.
"No."
Way too fast.
I raised a brow.
"Wow. Very convincing."
He looked away slightly, trying to rebuild his usual calm expression.
I glanced around at everyone else.
"Actually… I think all of you cried."
"Nope," Jake said instantly.
"Never," Mark added.
"Impossible," Liam nodded.
Nena quickly wiped under her eye.
I smiled.
"Then why do you all look like someone canceled your favorite show?"
Silence.
Then—
I reached out.
Patting Jake's arm.
Ruffling Liam's hair.
Tapping Mark's shoulder.
Squeezing Nena's hand.
A small, gentle thing.
"I'm okay," I said softly. "So… can we not look like a sad group photo?"
Liam cracked first.
A small laugh.
Mark shook his head.
Jake exhaled.
And just like that…
The heaviness lifted a little.
Then Dad—Mr. Ronson—stepped forward.
He looked at me for a moment, guilt clear in his eyes.
Then he leaned in and hugged me carefully.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "You got into this because of me."
I shook my head slightly.
"No… you didn't."
But he still held on for a second before pulling back.
Then everyone started again—
"I'm sorry," Liam said.
"Same," Nena added. "Girl, we failed you."
"We should've been faster," Jake muttered.
"Shouldn't have happened," Mark said quietly.
I blinked at all of them.
"Wow," I said. "This is a lot of apologies for someone who is literally alive and talking."
That got a small smile.
Luca was still holding my hand.
He squeezed it gently again.
"I was really worried," he said.
I smiled.
"Aww."
Then I suddenly held my chest.
"Ow—okay, too many emotions at once."
Luca immediately let go.
"Sorry!"
I laughed softly.
"It's okay."
He looked down shyly.
Cute.
I leaned back slightly, careful of my bandage, and looked around at all of them.
Every single one.
Still a little worried.
Still watching me like I might disappear.
But here.
With me.
A small, warm smile spread across my face.
"I'm really glad you're all here," I said softly.
And for the first time since everything happened—
Everything felt calm.
I leaned back slightly against the pillows, careful of my back, letting the calm settle in.
Then a thought popped into my head.
"So… when am I getting discharged?" I asked, looking around like I expected someone to magically have the answer.
Right on cue—
The door opened.
A doctor walked in, flipping through a file.
"Tomorrow," he said simply.
My eyes lit up.
"Yes!"
Mark smiled a little, clearly relieved. "Awesome."
I pointed at him.
"Of course you'd be happy. You people are tired of visiting me already."
"Very," he replied dryly.
I gasped softly. "Wow. Betrayal in my time of recovery."
A few of them chuckled.
Then Dad—Mr. Ronson—stepped forward slightly.
"When you come back," he said, a small smile forming, "I have a surprise for all of you."
Jake raised a brow.
"That doesn't sound suspicious at all."
Liam leaned forward. "Is it food?"
"Please let it be food," he added.
But before anyone could say anything else—
Mom crossed her arms.
The shift was immediate.
"Did I even forgive you?" she said.
The room went completely still.
Like someone had pressed pause.
Everyone looked at Mr. Ronson.
He blinked, caught off guard.
"You didn't?" he asked, brows furrowing.
Mom held his gaze for a moment.
Her expression was firm.
Then…
It softened.
Just a little.
She nodded.
"I did."
Her voice was quieter now.
Softer.
Relief flickered across his face.
Then she glanced at me.
"I did it because of her."
I smiled instantly.
"Thanks, Mom."
She looked back at him, but this time there was no anger. Just something calmer. Something real.
I looked around at everyone.
All of them.
Still here.
Still with me.
"Thanks, everyone," I said softly.
Then my eyes shifted.
To him.
Ethan.
He was still standing a little apart—but closer than before.
Watching.
Always watching.
"Thanks, Ethan."
He met my gaze.
And nodded.
Firm.
Calm.
Steady.
Like he didn't need words.
And somehow…
That was enough.