Her lips part slightly. “Still… here…”
The words scrape out thin and fragile.
Nothing like her normal voice.
That sound tears straight through my chest.
“Good,” I tell her quietly. “Stay right there.”
She tries to smile.
It barely happens.
The medic shoves another dressing hard into the wound.
Olivia gasps sharply, body arching weakly off the bench.
My hand cups her face instantly.
“I know,” I murmur. “I know. Just breathe.”
Her fingers grab onto my wrist hard enough to hurt.
Good.
Pain means she’s still fighting.
“Hurts…”
“I know.”
God, I know.
If I could rip this pain out of her and take it myself, I would.
Without hesitation.
“Stay with me.”
Her eyes drift closed.
No.
Cold panic spikes instantly through my chest.
“Olivia.”
Nothing.
I shake her shoulder gently.
“Olivia.”
The medic swears under his breath. “Don’t let her check out.”
“I’m trying.”
“Then keep her awake.”
