21. ARIA

After two weeks of slipping in and out of unconsciousness, my eyes fluttered open, and I was met with a surge of pain that rippled through me. From my face to my toes, every inch of my body throbbed with a relentless ache.

I tried to shift my body into a more comfortable position, but my muscles were stiff and unyielding as though they were locked in place. With mounting frustration, I turned my head, only to be met with a sharp twinge of pain that shot through my neck like a bolt of lightning.

With a groan of discomfort, I forced my eyes to focus, my vision swimming as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The ceiling above me was blurry and indistinct, leaving me disoriented and dizzy.

I heard a voice beside me, its tone familiar yet distorted, as though I were listening to it underwater. "Hey, Doc, I think she"s waking up," the voice said.

Even as the voice registered in my mind, I felt a pair of gentle hands envelope me, their touch tender and reassuring. Despite the pain, I found myself leaning into the warmth of that touch, seeking solace and comfort in its embrace.

As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I clung to the presence of that unseen figure beside me. It felt like a soothing light in the darkness. For even in the depths of my pain, I knew that I was not alone—that somewhere, in the vast expanse of the unknown, there was someone who cared for me.

As my eyes finally came into focus, the blurry outlines of my surroundings gradually sharpened. There, beside the bed, stood Ethan, his face etched with concern and relief as he looked at me.

A rush of recognition flooded through me as I realized the voice I heard belonged to him. It was Ethan, my protector, my confidant, the one who had risked everything to save me from the clutches of my captors.

With a soft sigh of relief, I allowed myself to sink back into the pillows beneath me, taking in the heavy bandages that encased my body, the gauze and bandages that covered my wrists a reminder of the shackles that hung there and the heavy brace around my neck.

Despite the discomfort and pain, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me as I looked up at Ethan"s familiar face. He had been there for me, even when I had been lost in the darkness.

And as I lay there, basking in the warmth of his gaze, I knew I was safe. I had someone by my side who would stand by me, fight for me, and never let me face the darkness alone again. In Ethan"s eyes, I saw not just concern and relief, but also a love that transcended time and space, a bond that could withstand even the darkest night.

With that knowledge filling me, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off into a peaceful slumber, knowing I was finally free from my captors. The nightmare was over.

"Hey, Aria," Ethan"s voice broke through the haze, his words sending a jolt of warmth coursing through me.

The soft voice with which he called me was music to my ears. It lingered in my mind, sending my heart racing with excitement and disbelief. Or was I just dreaming?

I felt his tender touch against the soft flesh exposed to the air. He was careful to avoid my bandages. A shiver of pleasure danced across my skin at his caress.

I wanted to respond, to express the whirlwind of emotions that stirred within me, but as I struggled to form the words. I found my voice faltering, sounding different than usual.

"Yes?" I whispered, my voice barely more than a hoarse croak. The word felt foreign on my tongue, but as I answered him, a surge of joy washed over me, knowing that he was there beside me.

"Just stay still and listen to me." Ethan"s voice was soft, filled with regret and longing as he spoke. "I need to apologize."

I turned my gaze to him, my heart pounding as I waited for him to continue.

"I"m so sorry for all the pain I"ve caused you," he said, his voice heavy with remorse. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I never wanted to see you hurt."

His words pierced my heart, stirring up deep emotions within me. Despite the pain and suffering I had endured, a part of me longed for him, yearning for the connection we shared.

Before I could respond, he continued. "I promise to make it up to you, Aria. I"ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust and prove I"m worthy of your love."

Tears welled in my eyes. Could I forgive him for everything? Could I allow myself to trust him, to open my heart to the possibility of love?

As I looked into his eyes, I knew I still loved him and believed in the bond that had brought us together.

With a shaky breath, I reached out to him, my hand finding his and squeezing it gently. "I want to believe you, Ethan," I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. "I want to believe that we can overcome this, that we can find our way back to each other."

As he leaned in to press a tender kiss to my forehead, I felt my heart dance. I believed that perhaps we could find redemption in each other"s arms, and forge a new path forward together.

*****

It had been four days after my discharge from the hospital, but I was still on bed rest as I recovered from the ordeal of the past few weeks. Ethan brought me comfort at night but in the morning, the place he had once occupied was cold and empty.

I couldn"t shake the feeling of unease that settled over me. The house was unusually quiet, and the atmosphere thick with tension and sorrow, and I wondered what was causing it.

Turning to Elinor, who had been by my side throughout my recovery, I searched her face for answers. But her eyes darted away, and I knew she was hiding something.

"Eli, what"s going on?" I pressed. "Please, tell me."

She insisted that nothing was wrong, but her words rang hollow. With a sigh of frustration, I continued to probe, refusing to let the matter rest until she finally relented.

"It"s my father," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He"s... he"s gone."

A wave of sorrow washed over me, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. The reason for Ethan"s sadness, his reluctance to share his grief with me—it all made sense now.

As the realization sank in, a pang of guilt gnawed at my insides. Why hadn"t Ethan told me? Did he think I wouldn"t understand? That I wouldn"t be there for him?

Perhaps he was trying to shield me from the pain, to spare me from feeling responsible. I wanted to be there for him, to offer him comfort and support.

I resolved to seek out Ethan and offer him my condolences, love, and forgiveness. In the face of loss and grief, nothing is more powerful than the love that bounds us. It would give us the strength to face anything.

As Ethan entered the room, I could see the toll of grief etched into his face. His eyes, usually bright with warmth and laughter, were clouded with sorrow, and my heart ached at the sight of it.

"Ethan," I said softly, my voice barely more than a whisper as he approached my bedside. "I... I heard about your father. I"m so sorry."

He looked up at me, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and for a moment, neither of us spoke, our shared sorrow hanging heavy.

"I know it"s not much," I continued, my voice trembling. "But if there"s anything I can do, please don"t hesitate to ask."

Ethan reached out to take my hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Thank you, Aria," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Your words mean more than you know."

We sat in silence for a moment, our hands clasped tightly together, drawing strength from each other"s presence. As the pressure of grief threatened to overwhelm us, I knew that we would find a way to steer through the stormy waters.