a's

of machines in the background only heightened the sense of helplessness she felt, but Max's quiet presence beside her seemed to offer somethin

fully understand, leaving her with only uncertainty to cling to. Jenna's condition was still critical, and they

her to talk, never asking for more than she was willing to give. For someone so power

dn't slept in days, and the stress of the past few hours was beginning to take its toll. Every par

against hers now, though he was careful not to crowd her. She could feel the heat of him, the quiet strength

is tone gentle yet insistent. "You need to rest.

e sentence. The thought of leaving Jenna's side m

he touch, though simple, sent a strange ripple through Lena's body. She wasn't used to any

g. "I'm not asking you to leave. I'm asking you to take care o

ster, even for a moment, felt impossible. Jenna had always been her anchor, and now, w

g she couldn't quite place-an understanding that went beyond simple empathy. There was a depth t

rds coming out broken, like they had

e saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "I know you are. A

herself that she didn't need anyone, that she was better off alone. But here, in this mo

nce, and yet it was enough. It was enough to make he

eakness. She had already given so much to the people around her-her mother, her fat

ength she hadn't known she needed. The minutes stretched into hours, and still, they sat there in sil

e she had slept properly, and the weight of everything was starting to take its toll. The tightness in her chest was

voice low but firm. "You don't have to be he

ut something about the way Max had been there for her, without expectation, without

rself to lean back in her chair. "Okay," sh

suring smile, though it was ting

ing up from her chair. "I'

cape this hospital room, even if only for a little while. The weight of the

-

x's

or, but he respected her too much to push. She was strong-too strong, in fact. She carried her burdens in silence, never letting anyone

d be like this. He had expected her to be like the others-guarded, distant, unwilling

anything from him. She wasn't interested in his wealth or s

herself feel the weight of everything she was going through-Max couldn't help b

to beep, a constant reminder of how fragile life could be. He couldn't imagine what it would f

holding on. She w

fight with her, whether

-

na's

same question-what if she lost Jenna? What if the person who had always been

used to let them. She couldn't break d

g little comfort. The walls seemed to close in on her as she stepped insid

out bothering to change out of her clothes. She needed

o keep watch. She didn't know why, but the thought of him there,

when everything she love

moments. But no matter how hard she tried, sleep wouldn't come. Instead, she found