Daniel closed the bedroom door, the soft click echoing through the room. Ivy looked up from brushing her hair, her gaze meeting his in the mirror.
"Hey," Daniel said, his voice low, "can we talk?"
Ivy set the brush aside, her eyes never leaving his. She nodded, a silent invitation.
Daniel's footsteps were quiet on the carpet as he approached her. He stood beside her, his eyes locked on hers.
"This thing with Jack and Aria..." he began, his voice trailing off.
Ivy's brow furrowed, her expression encouraging him to continue.
Daniel's gaze dropped to his hands, clenched into fists. "That truck following us...it can't be a coincidence."
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the alarm clock.
Ivy's hands found his, her touch warm. "What are you thinking?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daniel's eyes lifted, meeting hers. "I don't know, but I need to find out."
Ivy's grip tightened. "Be careful, Daniel."
Daniel's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with determination. "I will."
The silence stretched, a comfortable understanding between them.
Ivy's voice broke the stillness. "You'll tell me what you find out?"
Daniel's smile was reassuring. "Always."
Their hands remained entwined, a silent promise.
As they prepared for bed, Daniel's mind whirled. The shadows outside seemed darker, the silence more oppressive.
But Daniel's resolve lit a spark within him.
He would uncover the truth.
No matter what it took.
The bedroom lamp cast a warm glow, a haven from the uncertainty outside.
Daniel's eyes locked onto Ivy's, a promise of protection and love.
Midnight cast its dark shadow outside, but Jack's determination lit a spark within. He gingerly removed the drip from his hand, wincing at the slight pain.
As he shifted his weight, the hospital bed creaked. Jack's gaze fell on the wheelchair beside him, its metal frame gleaming in the dim light.
With a deep breath, Jack transferred onto the wheelchair. His legs trembled, protesting the movement.
For a moment, Jack sat still, gathering strength. The wheelchair's cold metal seemed to seep into his bones.
His eyes drifted toward the door, a sense of purpose driving him.
Aria.
Jack pushed off, the wheelchair rolling forward with a soft creak.
The door to Aria's room stood ajar, a sliver of light beckoning.
Jack nudged the door open, his heart heavy.
Aria lay motionless, oxygen tubing securing in her nose, drips in her hands. The machines surrounding her beeped steadily.
Jack's gaze lingered on her face, his chest constricting.
He inched closer, wheelchair scraping against the floor.
Aria's hand felt warm beneath his touch.
" Wake up," Jack whispered, his voice barely audible.
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.
He rested his head on Aria's bed, eyes closing.
His hands enveloped hers, a fragile connection.
The machines continued their steady rhythm.
Jack's breathing slowed, synchronizing with Aria's.
In the stillness, Jack's tears fell.
A single drop landed on Aria's hand, then another.
The silence between them pulsed with longing.
Wake up, Aria, come back to me.
The machines beeped on.
Aria's chest rose and fell, And Jack waited.
Dr. Thompson's footsteps echoed through the hospital corridor, his team trailing behind. As they entered the room, a collective pause ensued.
Jack sat in a wheelchair, his eyes fixed on Aria's motionless form. The machines surrounding her beeped steadily, a stark contrast to Jack's tumultuous emotions.
Dr. Thompson's gaze lingered on Jack's face, noting the fragile balance between hope and despair. "Jack, it's great to see you're doing better," he said, his voice warm and measured.
Mrs. Hilda burst into the room, her eyes welling with tears. "Jack!" she exclaimed, rushing to envelop him in a tight hug.
Jack's weak smile faltered as he returned her embrace, his eyes never leaving Aria's face.
As Mrs. Hilda stepped back, Jack's gaze locked onto Dr. Thompson. His voice trembled. "Aria...the baby...are they fine?"
Dr. Thompson's expression shifted, his eyes clouding. "Aria's stable, Jack." He paused, the silence heavy. "But...I'm sorry...the baby didn't survive."
The words hung in the air, a palpable weight.
Jack's face crumpled, his body shuddering. Tears welled, then spilled down his cheeks. He clutched Aria's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.
Mrs. Hilda's eyes overflowed, her own tears falling. She covered her mouth, a stifled sob escaping.
Dr. Thompson nodded discreetly to Mrs. Hilda. "Let's give him some privacy."
Together, they slipped out of the room, leaving Jack alone with Aria.
The machines continued their steady beep, a heartbeat of hope amidst despair.
Jack's cries echoed through the room, a raw, anguished sound. His body shook, his head bowed.
Tears fell onto the sheets, mingling with the memories of what could never be.
Aria's still form seemed to fade into the background as Jack's grief consumed him.
His mind reeled, memories flooding his thoughts of the plan him and Aria had made regarding their baby, and the name they had thoughts for their child. Laughter, plans, and whispers of a name – Isabella.
The wheelchair creaked as Jack slumped forward, his head on Aria's bed.
The hospital room bustled with joyful reunions. Jack, seated in his wheelchair, smiled warmly as loved ones enveloped him in hugs.
Leo's robust laugh filled the air. "Jack! Welcome back!"
Daniel's gaze drifted toward Aria's room, his expression clouding. The glass door reflected his concern.
Jack's reassurance came easily. "Don't worry, guys. Aria will wake up soon. Everything will be fine."
Sara lingered at the periphery, her smile masking her true intentions. The dagger in her hand seemed to weigh heavier with each passing moment.
As the group's laughter and chatter swirled around her, Sara slipped away, her eyes locked on Aria's room.
She glided to the back door, her footsteps silent.
Aria lay motionless, oxygen tubing securing in her nose, drips in her hand.
Sara's grin twisted.
"Should've been me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her gaze roamed Aria's still form.
"Jack followed you that night...leading to this."
Resentment simmered beneath Sara's surface.
Her boss's words echoed in her mind.
"I was sent to kill you, Aria...by our worst enemy."
The memory ignited a fire within Sara.
She raised the dagger.
The blade glinted in the fluorescent light.
Just as she poised to strike, her phone buzzed.
Her boss's call.
Sara's smile faltered.
She disconnected, eyes locked on Aria.
The dagger hovered.
Aria's eyes snapped open.
Her hand shot out.
With oxygen tubing in her nose and a drip in her left hand.
Aria pushed Sara away.
Sara stumbled.
The dagger clattered to the floor.
Aria's gaze locked onto Sara.
A spark of recognition.
Aria's lips parted.
"You..."
Sara's face paled, Fear etched her features.
The room plunged into chaos, Aria's voice whispered.
"Help..."
The sound sent shivers down Sara's spine, Panic set in.
Sara scrambled to retrieve the dagger, But it was too late.
Aria's removed the oxygen, then removed the drip, and retrieve the dagger, before she caught it.