I tighten my grip on her hand.
“Hey.”
Her gaze lifts again slowly.
“That’s it,” I murmur. “Right here.”
Another painful breath.
Another tremor.
Then finally—
“Got it,” Hannah says sharply.
The pressure releases all at once.
Olivia sags back against the blankets, exhausted beyond words.
Her hand loosens slightly in mine.
Not letting go.
Just… tired.
Stephen immediately moves in with fresh bandages while Hannah presses hard against the wound again.
“You did good,” I tell her quietly.
Her eyes barely stay open now.
“So tired…”
The words come slurred.
Weak.
My chest tightens painfully.
“I know.”
She shifts slightly toward me without thinking.
Head brushing against my shoulder.
Seeking warmth.
Safety.
Me.
“Stay,” she whispers.
Like she’s afraid I’ll disappear if she closes her eyes.
I brush dirt-damp hair back from her forehead carefully.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I’m here.”
