SomeWhat Human

Mariana's POV

I woke up to the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the distant hum of hospital activity, and the warmth of Aiden's hand wrapped around mine.

It had become a constant over the past few days—his presence. He barely left my side, only stepping out when the doctors forced him to or when Sebastian practically dragged him away to eat or sleep. Even then, I knew he didn't stray far.

I turned my head slightly, catching sight of him in the chair beside my bed. His posture was tense even in sleep, his head tilted forward, brows drawn together like he was bracing himself for the worst.

The worst that hadn't come.

Not yet.

Instead, I had gotten better.

Not miraculously, not completely, but enough. The treatments were working. My breathing had stabilized. The crushing fatigue that made every movement feel impossible had started to ease. The pain was still there, lurking beneath the surface, but it was manageable.

For now.