Ella paced outside the ICU, her heels clicking sharply against the sterile hospital floors. Her fists clenched at her sides, knuckles pale and trembling. With every step, she fought the unbearable urge to throw open the doors and see him—just to know he was still breathing.
But the doctors had warned her:
One wrong move. One emotional shock. And she might lose him… for real this time.
Her lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line as she turned abruptly, slamming a palm against the cold wall to keep herself upright.
How did it come to this?
For years, she fought to free herself from his control, his obsession. But now, standing there with his life hanging by a thread, the only thing she wanted was for him to open his eyes and say her name again.
Was that love… or madness?
Maybe they'd always lived on that razor-thin line between the two.
Her heart felt like it was hanging from a frayed thread, one sharp tug away from snapping completely. Every second stretched unbearably long, like she was trapped in a cruel, endless pause before the final blow.
And then—
The doors swung open.
She spun around, eyes wild, breath caught in her throat.
The doctor didn't have to say a word.
Ella rushed past him straight into the room, her eyes immediately locking onto the man lying unconscious on the hospital bed.
Leon looked pale, so still it terrified her.
But his fingers…
They twitched.
Her breath caught.
Slowly, his eyelids fluttered open.
But when his dark eyes finally met hers, there was nothing familiar in them.
Confusion. Blankness.
And then, the words she feared most left his lips—
"…Who are you?"