Isla slipped quietly into the room, her eyes immediately locking onto Jaxon’s, which were barely open.
“Hey,” she whispered gently.
Slowly, Jaxon turned his head toward her. “Isla,” he murmured, weakly lifting his hand. She reached out and clasped it without hesitation, sinking into the chair beside his bed. She brought his hand to her lips, kissing it softly as her eyes brimmed with emotion.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice trembling as tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
Jaxon gazed at her intently, though his strength was fading. “Come closer,” he murmured. She leaned in without hesitation, tilting her ear toward his mouth.
To her surprise, Jaxon summoned the strength to lift himself just enough to press a tender kiss to her cheek. “It’s not your fault,” he whispered, and Isla squeezed her eyes shut, her tears flowing even harder. She turned her face to look at him, her heart breaking.