Ever shifted uncomfortably in the hospital bed, her thoughts still heavy from the confrontation with Allesandro. She had told the doctors to keep him out of the room—she couldn't handle seeing him right now. But Nathaniel… Nathaniel was different.
He walked in, his familiar smile putting her a little at ease. "Well, look at you," he said, sitting down beside her bed. "You look like you've been through a war."
Ever let out a laugh, the sound a little bitter. "Feels like it," she replied.
Nathaniel's eyes softened, his voice growing gentle. "I'm glad you're awake. It's been a while since we just sat and talked, huh? High school seems like a lifetime ago."
"Yeah," she said, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. "Back when everything was simpler. We were happy, weren't we?"
"We were," he said, nodding. "You were my first love, you know. Even after all these years, I haven't really stopped caring about you."
