Zayden
I didn't wait for the damn elevator engineers. I forced the doors open.
The second I saw her—crumpled in the corner, unconscious, barely breathing—my chest collapsed.
"Elena!" I dropped to my knees, lifting her into my arms. Her skin was cold, her breaths shallow.
"I've got you. You're okay. Just stay with me. Please."
By the time we reached the hospital, she still hadn't opened her eyes.
---
Later that night...
The room was too quiet.
Machines beeped in slow, steady rhythms. I sat beside her, holding her hand, willing her to wake up.
The doctor walked in.
I stood. "Tell me what's wrong."
He exhaled, jaw tight.
"We ran multiple tests. There's… something you need to know."
My heart slammed.
"She has a rare neurovascular condition. One that's been dormant, but the recent emotional shocks, physical strain… they triggered it."
I froze.
"What does that mean?"
"She has—at best—a year. Maybe less if she goes through another high-stress breakdown."
Silence crushed me.
A year?
No.
This wasn't real.
"She's strong," I said, more to myself than him. "She'll fight this. We'll get her the best care—"
"There's no cure, Mr. Wolfe," he said gently. "There's only time."
---
Elena
When I woke up, everything felt like a dream.
Zayden was beside me, his eyes red, like he hadn't slept in days. He kissed my hand so gently, it broke me.
"What happened?" I whispered.
He shook his head, brushing the hair off my cheek. "You're okay now. That's all that matters."
But his voice cracked.
I knew him too well.
Something was wrong.
"I don't want lies, Zayden. What aren't you telling me?"
He hesitated.
Then, finally, the words came.
"You're sick, Elena."
I blinked.
He continued, voice barely holding together. "They said… they said you only have a year."
The world stopped moving.
I didn't cry.
I didn't scream.
I just… stared at him. At the man I loved. At the future I thought we had.
One year?
"Then let's make it count," I whispered. "Let's make this the most unforgettable year of our lives."
His arms wrapped around me like I was made of glass.
And in that moment, we weren't broken—we were infinite.
---