CHAPTER 12

ALEX'S POV Diana sat beside my hospital bed, her knuckles clenched in her lap, looking at me with eyes as if to protect my soul. Her gaze watched every stable rise and descent of my chest, seeming to comfort her, but I sensed the sorrow upon her shoulders weighing her down like an invisible burden. She hadn't left my side since I passed out. The doctors said I'd lost too much blood, but I didn't care about that. The pain in my arm was less than the pain of seeing her like this—weak, so pale, as if the life inside of her was draining out. It wasn't just the injuries to her body. It was something deeper. Something I couldn't repair with stitches and medication. My eyes groaned open, and the first thing I saw was her. She was still here. A small smile tugged at my lips. "Hi there." Her lips rose into a tiny smile, but I could see past the mask she put on. She was trying to be tough, but I knew her. I knew the anguish writhing within her. "Hey. How are you?" she breathed. I dodge