Chapter 27 – Healing Bruises
Clara woke up to the smell of antiseptic and the low hum of machines. Her body ached, but the sight of Ethan slumped asleep in a chair beside her made her heart ache more.
He'd been there all night — suit wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes.
When he stirred, his voice was rough. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got kidnapped," she said dryly.
For a second, he just stared — and then, to her surprise, he laughed. A quiet, tired laugh that softened everything hard about him.
Damien appeared in the doorway holding coffee cups. "Look at you two — alive and flirting already."
Clara chuckled; Ethan just sighed. "Why are you here?"
"Because I brought caffeine. And because apparently, we're friends now."
Ethan rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Clara smiled faintly. Maybe some good really could come out of chaos.