And she smiled.
“Ash,” she whispered.
He made a sound—half laugh, half sob—and looked like he might collapse right there.
Behind me, Dev finally let out a long breath, shoulders sagging as if he’d been holding the whole world up until that moment.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t look away.
She was alive.
“Are you hurt?” Ash asked, his voice shaking.
“No. I was just—scared.” She glanced at Dev, whose expression was utterly unreadable.
“We were worried about you.” I forced the words out, aware how clipped they must sound. “You should have come back immediately!”
Ash growled—actually growled—and moved in front of her slightly, like he could shield her from my words.
“Leave her alone.”
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I got lost. Thank you for coming to get me.”
And then—
she did something impossible.
With her covered hand, she reached out toward Ash.
And she touched him.
She placed her gloved hand on his face.
Not reaching for comfort—offering it.
Like she could feel him shaking apart and wanted to steady him first.
His fingers jerked like he’d been struck by lightning, but he didn’t pull away.
If anything, he leaned into it—his whole body softening under the contact.
He looked at her like she’d just handed him the sun.
Dev’s eyebrows rose, just a fraction.
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
She didn’t look at me.
She didn’t reach for me.
She touched him.
Ash exhaled shakily, like he’d been holding his breath since the moment she vanished. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. “I’ve got you, okay?”
Her lip trembled—not much, barely there—but I saw it.
