Sunlight pressed faintly against the window blinds, washing the room in pale gold. It felt calm now — the storm had passed, but its weight still lingered in the corners.
Elise tucked a strand of Ayla's hair behind her ear gently. "You need food, sweetheart. Real food, not this hospital junk."
Ayla smiled faintly. "You're still calling me that."
"You'll always be my sweetheart," Elise said with a warm look before turning. "I'll be back soon."
Her heels clicked softly against the floor, the door whispering shut behind her.
Kalen stood a moment longer, eyes flicking toward Ayla, then toward the door.
"Do you want anything?" he asked, voice quieter now.
"No," she said, "I just want you nearby."
"I'm not going far," he replied, his eyes shifting to Viper. There was a silent exchange between them — something unspoken but understood.
Viper gave a slight nod.
Kalen left.
Damien sat beside her still, his thumb tracing slow circles on her palm. He hadn't said much since Leon left — just watched her like he was still making sure she was really here.
"I'm just going to get some air," Jean said suddenly, rising with an unreadable look.
He paused by her bedside, touched her shoulder gently, and murmured, "I'm proud of you."
Then he, too, was gone.
The room thinned.
Only Damien and Viper remained. And even then, silence started to stretch too long.
Ayla turned her face toward the window, letting her eyes blur against the light. That peace — the kind that came from truth finally being spoken — it should've filled her up. But something pulled at her chest, like a thread left untied.
Viper crossed his arms, his stance calm but unmistakably firm. "You're not going to say anything about Leon?"
Her eyes flicked toward him, surprised.
He didn't wait for her to answer. "That man turned half the world upside down chasing your memory. He came to us. He knew before anyone else. He looked at you and saw Ayla when the rest of us saw someone pretending."
Ayla lowered her gaze.
"I didn't ask him to do that," she said.
"No, you didn't," Viper said. "But you don't have to ask for loyalty to owe it respect."
She sat up slightly, the IV tugging at her wrist.
"I was scared," she said. "I didn't know who I was, and now that I do… everything hurts."
"He's not asking you to run into his arms," Viper said, his voice gentler now. "But you didn't even look at him. You looked at Damien."
She glanced at Damien, who met her gaze calmly — not possessive, not angry. Just present.
"He was with me through the storm" she murmured. "He let me come. He was kind."
"And Leon?" Viper asked.
Ayla hesitated.
"I think… I think he still sees the girl I used to be. And I'm not sure who she is anymore."
Viper nodded slowly. "Then figure it out. But don't punish him for remembering you when even you forgot."
She blinked, swallowing past the lump in her throat.
"I'll talk to him," she said quietly.
Viper squeezed her shoulder once, then stepped back. "Good. Because if you don't, I will."