Novel-novel oleh Authoress riri

Chapter 74: Ethan coming home didn’t feel real at first.The hospital discharge papers were signed, the doctor had given a long list of instructions, and Mr. Edward had insisted on driving slowly—as if even the road itself needed to be careful with his son.But the moment Ethan stepped into the house, everything shifted.It wasn’t the same as before.It was quieter.Softer.More… careful.Mrs. Edward had already prepared everything.Extra pillows. A comfortable spot on the couch. Medicine neatly arranged. Water within reach.“You’re not going upstairs,” she said firmly.Ethan gave a tired smile. “I figured.”Mr. Edward placed a steady hand on his shoulder. “You focus on healing. Nothing else.”Ethan nodded, though his eyes drifted briefly toward the door.Like he was expecting someone.He didn’t have to wait long.Later that afternoon—A knock.Mrs. Edward opened the door.And there she was.Mira.She stood there, slightly hesitant, her hands clasped together like she wasn’t sure if

Chapter 73: The hospital had a way of stretching time.Minutes didn’t feel like minutes. Hours didn’t feel real. Everything existed in a quiet, suspended space where hope and fear sat side by side, refusing to separate.Mira stood just outside the ward, her fingers curled tightly around the strap of her bag.She hadn’t moved much since they arrived.Even after the doctor had come out to say the surgery was over… that Ethan was stable… that he was alive—Alive.That word should have brought relief.And it did.But not enough.Because stable didn’t mean awake.And alive didn’t mean okay.Her chest still felt tight.Her heart still hadn’t slowed down.She swallowed hard and pushed the door open.The room was quiet.Too quiet.Ethan lay on the bed, still.Machines surrounded him, their soft beeping the only sign that time was still moving forward.For a second, Mira couldn’t take another step.This wasn’t how she had imagined seeing him.Not like this.Not quiet.Not motionless.Her eyes

Chapter 72: The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the street as Ethan stepped out of the flower shop.He adjusted his grip on the bouquet, careful not to crush the delicate petals.They were her favorite.He had taken longer than expected choosing them—standing there, going back and forth between colors, asking the florist unnecessary questions, overthinking every little detail.Because it wasn’t just flowers.It was for Mira.And with everything she had been going through lately, he wanted it to be perfect.Ethan smiled to himself as he walked down the pavement.He could already picture her reaction.The way her eyes would soften.The way she’d pretend it wasn’t a big deal, even though it clearly meant something to her.He replayed their texts in his head.“Be careful.”He chuckled lightly under his breath.“I will,” he muttered, almost like he was answering her again.Cars passed by in a steady rhythm. The city felt alive but normal—nothing unusual, not

CHAPTER 71Morning came slowly for Mira.Not in the way mornings usually did—with sunlight stretching lazily across her room or birds chirping like nothing in the world had changed—but in a heavy, quiet way. The kind that pressed against her chest before her eyes even opened.She stared at the ceiling for a long time before moving.Her thoughts were tangled.The words from the night before echoed over and over again.She’s pregnant.Her dad’s voice had been proud. Miss Katie’s smile had been soft, almost nervous… hopeful.And Mira?Mira had smiled too.But it hadn’t reached her eyes.When she finally got out of bed, everything felt slightly off—as if she was walking through a version of her house that didn’t completely belong to her anymore.She pulled on a hoodie, not caring about how she looked, and stepped out of her room.Each step down the stairs felt heavier than the last.And then she saw her.Miss Katie sat on the couch, legs tucked neatly under her, a mug resting in her hands

Chapter 70 — The evening air felt soft as Mira and Lisa walked back home from the beach.Their slippers dragged lightly against the pavement, sand still clinging stubbornly to their ankles. Lisa looked… lighter. Not the forced lightness she used to wear like a mask—but something real this time.“So,” Mira nudged her playfully, “you and Max, huh?”Lisa’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Don’t start.”“I’m not starting anything,” Mira grinned. “I just want details.”Lisa laughed quietly, hugging herself. “He was… different. Not playful. Just real.”Mira nodded. “That’s Max when he actually cares.”Lisa glanced at her. “You think this can work?”“I think,” Mira said thoughtfully, “you just have to not mess it up this time.”Lisa winced slightly. “Fair.”They both laughed.For a moment, everything felt… normal again.The Living RoomAs they stepped into the house, laughter greeted them.Warm. Familiar. Unexpected.Mira paused.Her dad, Dennis, was sitting on the couch beside Katie, both of the

CHAPTER 69The days after the beach felt… different.Not dramatic. Not overwhelming.Just quietly new.Lisa woke up the next morning staring at her ceiling, replaying everything.Max’s voice.His careful words.The way he had paused before reaching for her hand.It hadn’t been rushed. It hadn’t been like before.It was real.And that terrified her just as much as it excited her.Downstairs, the house was already alive with soft morning noise. Plates clinked in the kitchen. Mira’s laughter drifted through the hallway.Lisa hesitated at the top of the stairs.Before, she would’ve run down, loud and carefree, demanding attention.Now… she took a breath and walked slowly.Mira spotted her first.“Well,” she said, grinning, leaning against the counter, “someone looks like they didn’t sleep.”Lisa rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “I slept.”“Barely,” Mira teased.Katie glanced between them knowingly. “Should I ask, or should I pretend I don’t already know?”Lisa groaned. “Pl