Astrid's eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by the warm, golden light of morning.
As she became more aware of her surroundings, she noticed that her hands were entwined with someone's.
Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she wasn't alone.
She reached for her glasses on the nightstand, slipping them onto her face.
Then her gaze fell upon the person holding her hand.
Julian was sitting on a stool beside her bed, his head resting on her bed, his eyes closed as he slept peacefully.
Astrid's gaze drifted to their joined hands. She recalled how she had grabbed his hand, holding on tight, as if to prevent him from leaving. Her fingers were intertwined with his, a gentle but firm grasp.
As she took in the sight of Julian, her heart thumped. His hair fell over his face. His chest rose and fell with each slow breath, and Astrid felt a sense of peace wash over her.
