Chapter 102: Childhood Wounds

The steady beep of the heart monitor was like a metronome, regulating and recording time in this sterile limbo. The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room beat into Olivia's open eyes. The medication fog slowly burned away, and in its place, she became slowly aware of the warmth and pressure in her hand. She looked over at Nathan, who sat beside her bed with his head bowed and fingers intertwined with hers. "Nathan?" Her voice was a rasp, barely audible. His head jerked up, his eyes going wide with relief, and something else—a vulnerability she'd never seen there before. "Liv! You're awake. How are you feeling?" Olivia produced a weak smile. "Like, I've been hit by a truck. But I'm still here." Nathan's laugh was trembling, close to the edge of emotion. "Yeah, you are. You gave us quite a scare." Olivia's eyes looked around the room, and a frown appeared. "Where's Alex?" "I sent them home to get some rest," Nathan told them. "They've barely left your side for days. I promi