Emma's POVThe sterile, crisp scent of antiseptic was the first thing that drifted into my consciousness, replacing the suffocating smell of smoke and burning metal. Slowly, painfully, I forced my heavy eyelids open. The harsh glare of fluorescent lights made my vision blur, but as the room came into focus, the first thing I saw was a pair of dark, familiar eyes watching me with raw intensity.Draven was sitting in a chair right beside my hospital bed. He looked exhausted, with dark circles bruising the skin under his eyes and faint, healing scars tracing his jawline. The moment he realized I was awake, a look of profound, overwhelming relief washed over his face."Emma," he breathed, his voice rough and cracked with emotion. He instantly grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently."D-Draven..." I croaked, my throat feeling like sandpaper. "What... what happened? Where...""Shh, don't force yourself," he murmured softly, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my forehead. His touch was gen
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