CHAPTER 37

I stood at the side of the bed in quiet disbelief, my hand still trembling slightly as I clutched the corner of the blanket. The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden hue over Heinrich's pale skin and tired eyes. He was awake—really awake.

The doctor stood on the other side of the bed, checking his vitals while murmuring updates and observations, but his words floated in the air like background noise. My attention was solely on Heinrich. My chest was so tight with emotion I could barely breathe. His gaze kept returning to me—quiet, unreadable, but alive.

Alive.

I wanted to cry, laugh, and throw myself into his arms all at once. But I stayed still, as if one sudden movement might undo the miracle I was witnessing.

"You know," the doctor finally said, pulling off his gloves, "it's a miracle that you're awake this soon."

Heinrich’s voice, rough and breathless, came with quiet resolve. “I had to.”