ALEX

As I sit beside Zoe's hospital bed, a surge of possessiveness grips me, compelling me to protect and care for her. I reach out and gently take her hand, seeking solace in the warmth of her touch. Despite the bandages and the pallor of her skin, she remains stunningly beautiful. Her flawless complexion, long lashes, and rosy lips are a testament to her inner strength and resilience. I find myself captivated by her beauty, unable to look away. In this moment, all that matters is her, and I vow to do whatever it takes to support her on her journey to recovery.

"I know you may not hear me or recognize me, but I need to say this," I murmur softly, my voice trembling with emotion. "I've never stopped loving you, Zoe."

Tears blur my vision as I continue, my heart laid bare before her. "I'm deeply sorry for everything I've done that hurt you. I was immature and not thinking clearly. I let outside voices influence me, and I believed things that weren't true, which I deeply regret."

My voice catches in my throat as I recall the pain of our separation, the regret weighing heavy on my soul. "I never wanted to break up with you; I thought it was the right thing to do at the time, but now I see I was wrong. I'm truly sorry for not listening to you."

Desperation fills every word as I plead for another chance, for forgiveness, for redemption. "I want to give us another chance. I promise to give you my utmost care and attention. Zoe, I love you."

With her hands in mine, I rest my head against them, the warmth of her touch a lifeline in the darkness. Tears stream down my cheeks unchecked as I wait, hoping against hope that somehow, someway, we can find a way back to each other.

I close my eyes, trying to quiet the chaos in my mind. The world outside this sterile room is a blur, everything fading into the background. I could feel time slipping away with each passing second, yet the silence between us feels deafening. My heart is trapped in a vice, squeezing with each breath I take.

I don't care if she can't hear me. I just need to speak these words, these apologies that have been rotting inside me for far too long.

As I pour out my heart, my mind flashes back to the day we broke up. To the lies I believed, the doubts I let control me. "Zoe, I was a coward. I didn't fight for us. I let you go, and I hate myself for it. I wish I had been stronger. You deserved better than what I gave you. But I promise, if you give me a chance, I'll never make the same mistake again."

The weight of the words hangs in the air, heavy with regret. I'm not sure if she can hear me or if she even remembers what happened between us, but I need her to know how sorry I am. I need her to know that she's the one I've always loved, the one I've always needed, even if I didn't realize it at the time.

"Please, Zoe," I whisper, "I don't know how to do this without you. I can't imagine my life without you."

Just then, reality snaps back to me with the sound of her sister's voice breaking through my thoughts. "That was very sweet of you," she says quietly, her voice holding an edge of uncertainty. I glance up to see Zoe's sister standing against the wall, her expression unreadable. A pang of guilt lances through me. I hadn't even realized she was here, witnessing my vulnerability.

I feel my face flush with embarrassment. I'm not sure how she'll react. Is she angry at me for what I did to her sister? Will she understand? Will she hate me forever? I try to gather myself, to form words that will make sense in this delicate moment.

With a sigh, I wipe my tears and stand, my hands trembling as I step toward Zoe's sister. "I—I'm sorry for breaking down like that," I say, my voice shaky. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just… I needed to say it. I've never stopped loving her."

Zoe's sister doesn't say anything at first, her gaze still unwavering. After a long silence, she speaks. "And I'm sorry for snapping at you back there," she admits, her voice quieter now. "I was just so scared. But it's clear you care for her."

I nod, feeling a small, flickering sense of relief. "I care about her more than anything in this world. More than I ever cared about anything before."

Zoe's sister looks at me, and for the first time, I see a small hint of understanding in her eyes. "I get it. I really do. But you need to make sure this doesn't interfere with her future, Alex. She's been through so much already. I'm not going to lie to you—she's not in a place to deal with all of this right now. She's still my little sister."

I swallow, my throat tightening. "I understand. I promise, I won't let anything get in the way of her healing. I'll respect her, and I'll respect you guys. I just need to be there for her. If she wants me to go, I'll leave. But I'm not going anywhere unless she says so."

Her sister exhales slowly, her shoulders easing. "As long as you're there for her when she needs you, and you're careful about it, I can live with that. Just make sure she gets the chance to heal, okay?"

I nod quickly, my determination strengthening. "I promise. I'll do whatever it takes to help her get through this. Whatever she needs, I'll be there."

Her sister nods back. "I'll hold you to that."

With that, I turn and step out of the room, my heart still heavy with the weight of what I'd just revealed. The others are waiting, and I need to fill them in, to tell them what the doctor had said. I gather my breath, hoping the comfort I find in the doctor's words will bring them some hope, too.

As I recount the events inside the room, the gravity of the situation becomes clearer to all of us. The doctor's reassurance about Zoe's recovery is a small, fragile spark in the midst of the storm that is our lives right now. But with that, there's something else—something I can't put into words yet.

Zoe's sister's words echo in my mind, a reminder that her future is still uncertain, but we will face whatever comes next together. That's what matters now. I will help her remember us, help her reclaim her strength. I won't let her go through this alone.