PTE

er of how quickly things may go wrong. Each throb of anguish served as a flashing neon s

age. An accident like this could have been terrible for someone who relied on his hands to make money. A

rd sense of serenity. The awkward, stiff quiet that had existed between them for so long h

xtended the small paper cup containing capsules. _"Time for yo

th a swallow of lukewarm coffee. He made a frown at the bitter debris but did not complain. Th

what was left on the kitchen counter. As if she had finally foun

ad been marked by loss and turbulence. How many nights had she spent in this kitchen, her sma

ma

ld, and his little girl has already gone through more pain than most people do in a lifetime

he could do now was stumble forward, one shaky step

ith a curious tilt of her head. _"Everything okay?"_ Her fingers for

la. "I'm fine." The affection flowed out without considerat

d still in mid-gesture. But as the moment passed, the c

all the things left unsaid. Ethan shifted in his chai

gers already weaving intricate sign language patterns.

ely, but the words died on his tongue a

h and muscle...the gut-churning crunch of steel against bone.

ed anguish lanced up his arm. A muscle ticked along his j

m determination, she moved to the cabinet above the stove and took

to him with an air of finality that bro

knee-jerk reaction to being told what to do. His jaw cle

s stemmed from a profound knowledge that resonated deeply within his weary spirit. This was h

ation with a silent nod of gratitude. He slammed back the medic

eeping away the residual debris on the tabletop, her movements

ssive. There was an undercurrent of... not quite compreh

knot of pain and regret that had grown over the years. It wasn't much, but it was the beg

fect. A bone-deep fatigue came over him, the weight of too many

his strangely relaxed expression. Concern appeared

d hand. "'M'fine, Lila," he murmured, the words beginnin

in that foggy stage between awareness and slumber, he swears he felt the gentle weig

ht. There would be no nightmares to disrupt his sleep tonight, no crushing weight of pain and remorse. On

Ethan's weakened heart grew faintly hopeful. The path to me

they wouldn't b

, easing the lines of strain from his weather-beaten features. Lila watched

before walking down the corridor to her bed. As she snuggled beneath the covers, exhausted

nue narrowing the gap between them, one small victory at a