The air held its breath.
No one moved.
They watched her—this girl who had been a stranger, a mystery, a flame they'd all been drawn to in different ways—as her lips parted again.
And then—
"…Noah," she whispered.
A pin could have dropped and shattered the silence.
Kalen froze.
His heart stopped in his chest. "W-what?" he croaked, stepping forward. "Ayla… what did you say?"
She blinked slowly. Her lips trembled, but her voice grew steadier.
"Noah."
Her eyes—still dazed, still glassy—locked on his. "You're Noah… my little brother."
Kalen didn't even try to hide it. The sob tore from his throat as he dropped to his knees beside her bed. His hand reached for hers, trembling, gripping her fingers like he was afraid she'd disappear again.
"I knew you'd remember me," he whispered. "I knew it, Ayla. I never stopped waiting…"
Ayla's gaze shifted again.
And there he was.
Viper.
Still silent. Still standing tall, like the moment didn't dare bring him to his knees. But his eyes—his eyes burned with every year he'd lived without her.
"Dad…" Her voice cracked on the word, but it broke him clean in two.
He moved closer. "I'm here," he said roughly. "I'm right here."
Her hand moved—barely—but enough for her fingers to find his.
And then—just when Elise thought she might be forgotten—
Ayla's head turned again.
Her eyes softened. Confused… but somehow still warm.
"Elise…" she whispered.
Elise gasped, pressing a hand to her heart. "You remember me?"
Ayla gave a faint, sleepy smile. "You cried a lot."
Elise burst into laughter through her tears, the sound cracked and relieved and alive. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I did."
Leon just stood back, silent.
He didn't need her to say his name.
Not yet.
Because her smile… the one she gave now… was enough.