Chapter 45 A Moment Of Vulnerability

The soft glow of the bedside lamp flickered gently as the night wore on, its light casting shadows on the walls of the room. Emily lay still, her body tucked under the covers, but her mind was far from rest. The events of the day, everything that had happened, were playing in her mind like a reel that wouldn’t stop spinning. Her body was exhausted, but her mind refused to let go of the tension that had wound itself too tightly around her. Ethan, sitting vigil by the chair next to her bed, had been quiet for what seemed like an eternity. He’d checked on her every few minutes, his eyes always scanning her face for any signs of distress. The care in his eyes was undeniable, but Emily couldn’t help but feel the nagging sense that something was off. The heaviness in her chest wouldn’t lift, no matter how hard she tried to shake it.