CelineI wake up slowly, like I’m crawling out of something thick and heavy, and for a second I don’t even know where I am. My eyes blink against the dim light, and all I feel is this deep, dragging ache inside me, low in my belly and across my ribs. Everything feels sore, like my body has been torn apart and stitched back together the wrong way. I try to breathe properly, but even that hurts.Someone is holding my hand. Warm and steady. Too steady.I turn my head and see Alaric sitting on the floor beside the bed, completely drained, like he hasn’t slept for hours, maybe days. His eyes are swollen, red in a way I’m not used to seeing on him. His fingers are wrapped around mine like he’s scared I’ll disappear if he lets go for even one second.“You’re awake,” he whispers, like the sound might break me again.My voice barely works. “I… I’m alive.”He nods, but the way his throat moves tells me he’s trying not to cry. “You scared me,” he says quietly. “Celine, you really scared me.”I a
Last Updated : 2025-11-23
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