Jerica rushed to Jared the moment the nurse stepped out of the room, her breath finally steadying at the sight of him, safe and whole. Her eyes traced over his face, as though ensuring he was real, and not some figment of her desperate imagination.
Without a word, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. Jared held her tightly, pressing a soft, urgent kiss to her temple before pulling back just enough to search her for any sign of harm.
"You're okay?" he asked, his voice a low murmur as his hands gently cupped her face, his eyes scanning hers with tender intensity.
"They drew blood from me," Jerica said as they settled onto the couch, her tone casual, but her hand instinctively brushed the small bandage on her arm.
