Chapter 71 Awakened But Broken

• The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air, mingling with the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. A slow, hesitant flutter of eyelashes disturbed the stillness, shadows trembling behind Mariana’s closed lids before she forced them open. The world was a blur of white, hospital walls, sterile sheets, fluorescent lights humming faintly above.
• A warm pressure circled her hand. Large. Familiar. Strong, but trembling slightly.
• Her gaze drifted down, settling on Diego. His dark, tousled hair fell over his forehead, exhaustion etched into every sharp angle of his face. He had fallen asleep hunched over the bed, his fingers locked around hers like a lifeline. At the faint rustle of movement, his lashes flicked open, revealing stormy hazel eyes, rimmed red with sleepless nights.