"Mm…" Valerie let out a soft groan in her sleep. Her throat felt dry, and the discomfort stirred her awake.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. For a moment, she stared blankly, but then—bit by bit—the memories came rushing back. The moment she lost consciousness… the fear… the chaos…
"Uh!" She tried to sit up in alarm, but stopped midway—something was holding down the duvet covering her.
She turned her head slightly—and her breath caught.
There, resting beside her bed, was a man. His head lay gently on the blanket that covered her, his eyes closed, and his breathing calm. His lips were slightly parted as if he had fallen asleep waiting.
All the panic that had been bubbling inside her vanished in an instant.
He was here. Safe.
"Hah…" A breath escaped her lips, and she sank back into the bed. Her strength, which had flared up for a moment, faded again.
With slow care, she reached out a hand toward him.
Her fingers ran gently through his hair. "You worked hard," she whispered.
