She Only Has Me

Late that night...

Ava's fingers throbbed. She shifted restlessly in bed, fighting to drift off.

Liam held her close, a comforting weight beside her.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He quickly silenced it, careful not to wake her. He started to ease his arm from under her neck, planning to take the call outside.

Just as he was halfway out, Ava stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him, her voice thick with sleep. "Everything okay?"

He gestured towards his phone. "Just a call."

"Take it here," she murmured. "It's freezing out there."

He nodded, answering the phone. "Noah, what's up?"

It was Sophia's brother, Noah. His voice was strained. "Hey, sorry to bother you so late. Sophia... she had an accident. Her hand got crushed—four fingers, multiple fractures. It's pretty bad. She's been asking for you. Could you come over?"

Liam's face tightened. "When did this happen?"

"A couple of hours ago."