Neil, who had been sitting beside the bed the entire time, shot to his feet the moment he saw James’s eyelids flutter open.
“You’re awake,” Neil said hoarsely, bending down and gripping his shoulder. “You’ve been unconscious for nearly half a day.”
James only blinked, his gaze unfocused.
“Do you even realize you had a cardiac arrest?” Neil snapped, fear turning into anger. “You could’ve died, you idiot! And you didn’t even call anyone when it happened!”
Still no response.
Slowly, he closed his eyes and turned his face away.
Neil’s anger faded into worry. “What the hell is happening to you?” he demanded. “Talk to me. You can’t just shut down like this.”
James remained motionless.
His face was pale, empty—like there was nothing left inside him.
Neil reached out and shook his shoulder harder. “James, get back to your senses. You can’t live like this—just lying here waiting to die!”
Still nothing.
With a frustrated breath, Neil straightened and pulled out his phone, stepping out of the room. He hesitated for a moment—then scrolled and tapped a number he hadn’t called in a long time.
***
Mia was asleep when her phone rang.
She shifted slightly, frowning.
Beside her, Alexander lay propped against the headboard, glasses perched low on his nose as he read. He smiled faintly at the sight of her stirring and closed the book.
Mia turned toward him instinctively, her hand sliding across his thighs as she lifted her head and rested it in his lap. Alexander’s hand immediately threaded into her hair, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek, cradling her face with slow, affectionate strokes—as if soothing a restless cat.
Her phone rang again.
Annoyed, Mia groaned softly and reached for the bedside table, fumbling until her fingers closed around the device. She squinted at the screen.
Neil.
Her brows furrowed.
She sat up at once.
Alexander noticed the change in her expression. He shifted, pulling her gently back between his legs, his arm wrapping securely around her waist. He leaned closer, resting his chin against her shoulder, listening quietly.
Mia answered the call.
“Hello?”
On the other end, Neil sounded tense.
“Mia… how are you?” he asked. “It’s been a long time.”
She kept her voice neutral. “I’m fine. Is there something you need?”
Neil rubbed his forehead, exhaling slowly before speaking again. “I heard you got married. Congratulations.” A pause. “Is it true? Did you really marry Alexander Graves?”
Mia’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
