Clara's eyes fluttered open to the sound of soft beeping. For a moment, she just lay still, staring at the ceiling, her mind struggling to catch up. The sunlight slipping through the blinds painted faint lines across the white walls — the same hospital room.
It wasn't a dream. She'd really been reborn.
At least… that's what it looked like.
Even with all the evidence staring her in the face, Clara couldn't shake off the doubt. What if this was just an illusion? Or a hallucination? Maybe her brain was playing tricks on her — again.
Heck, she might still be dreaming. Okay, maybe she was being dramatic, but it wasn't impossible. Dreams were, after all, the mind's way of giving us what we wanted — things we couldn't have in real life.
And everything now was something she thought she could never get back, but here we are.
But even if it was a dream, she never ever wanted to wake up, at least without fixing her
The door swung open without a knock.
"Finally awake?" Lily asked, stepping in with a paper bag. "I was starting to think you'd decided to make this your new home."
Gosh how she missed lily's sarcastic mouth, when they stopped talking, life wasn't fun anymore especially how Clara was antisocial and a workaholic unlike Lily who made friends easily and didn't give a rat's ass about anything, always saying to go with the flow.
Clara turned her head, amused. "You could've knocked."
"And miss your grand hospital debut? Not happening." Lily dropped the bag on the table. "I brought you food that actually has flavor."
"Wow. A true sign of affection," Clara said dryly.
"Don't flatter yourself," Lily replied with a grin. "It's mostly because I was hungry on the way here and felt bad eating in front of you."
Clara rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. It felt easy — normal — in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
And it felt so much better how Lily didn't look like she wanted to cry looking at Clara. The guilt of the choices she made in her last life lessened knowing that in this life she wasn't going to lose her sister, especially not because of a certain someone.
A few minutes later, the doctor came in for a last check-up, declared her fit to leave, and gave the usual warnings. Clara nodded along politely, already halfway to standing before he even finished.
Outside, the sun was bright, and the air smelled faintly of rain.
"So," Lily began, adjusting her bag, "you're officially discharged. Ready to go home, or should I get you a wheelchair for the dramatic effect?"
"I'll walk, thanks,: Clara said.
They'd barely made it to the parking lot when a familiar voice called her name.
"Clara!"
She turned — and there he was. Nathaniel, moving quickly toward them, jacket in one hand, phone in the other. His tie was loosened, and his usual calm expression was replaced with something closer to worry.
"Nathaniel?" Clara blinked, surprised, because in her memory the day her and Lily fell out Nathaniel was on a work trip.
He stopped in front of her, exhaling hard. "You're okay. I didn't even know you were here until Lily called me this morning."
Lily folded her arms, mock-offended. "Well, if someone actually checked his phone once in a while, maybe he'd know things sooner."
Nathaniel gave her a flat look. "Some of us have jobs that involve meetings, Lily."
She smirked. "And some of us have sisters who nearly scared us to death."
Clara sighed. "Are you two really doing this in the hospital parking lot?"
"Old habits," Lily said with a shrug.
Nathaniel's lips curved into a faint smile as he turned back to Clara. "You look fine. But do you feel fine."
"I am fine," she said softly.
"Good," he replied, his voice low but warm. "Then let's get you home."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Wow, swooping in at the last minute like some overworked knight. How romantic."
Lily wasn't far off, he did look like a knight. Nathaniel was tall — easily six feet — with broad shoulders and dark hair that was slightly tousled from travel. His sharp, dark eyes carried warmth and intensity, and a strong, square jaw with a hint of stubble made him look effortlessly rugged. Even after a long work trip, he moved with quiet confidence, that made it impossible for Clara's stomach to not do a flip.
Clara wondered whether he'd always been this handsome.
"Lily," Clara warned, half-laughing.
"What? I'm just saying," Lily grinned, backing away, "don't let him drive too fast. He looks like the type who cuts people off in traffic."
Nathaniel sighed. "You haven't changed."
"Thank you," Lily said cheerfully.
Clara shook her head, smiling despite herself, looking at both her sister and the man she loved but lost. She wasn't going to lose them, not this time.