MAYA'S POV The silence after deleting Daniel’s voicemail is a clean slate. A terrible, empty one. I walk back to Leo’s room wearing Liam’s jacket like armor.He’s right where I left him, a steadfast silhouette in the terrible chair. He looks up. “You okay?”“Define okay,” I say, but my voice is lighter. Having one person who simply shows up rewires your nervous system.Dr. Vance, our main doctor, comes in smiling. “It’s time. We’ll start bringing him back to us.” The process is slow, a careful dial-turn of consciousness. Leo’s tiny fingers twitch. My world narrows to the space between his eyelashes.Daniel arrives halfway through. He walks in with the hesitant air of a tourist. He’s clean, shaved, wearing a crisp shirt. He looks at Liam, and his polite mask slips for a second into pure, unguarded annoyance.“Liam. I didn’t know you were in town.”“I am now,” Liam says, not looking away from Leo. His voice is neutral, but his posture—leaning forward, elbows on knees, a fortress around
Last Updated : 2025-12-03 Read more