"Caroline?"
I looked up from the book that I was so invested in and then, I saw Richard trying to sit up.
I dropped my hand to my thighs and stared at him in horror as though he had just risen from the dead.
"Richard!" I called back.
He stared at me while he was still trying to sit up. I hurried to his side to help him but laid him back in the bed.
"You still need to rest," I said to him and he groaned out loud in pain with his eyes shut as he adjusted well on the bed.
"Caroline?" he called my name again as he slowly opened his eyes as if recovering from a trance. "Is that really you?" he asked and I could see the tears that had already clouded his eyes.
"Yes, yes. Richard, it's me but for now, you need to save your little strength for now," I answered as I nodded continuously even though I was trying to fight back the tears that were pushing to spill out my eyes and playing it tough.