Adam’s POV
"Adam..."
That one word. My name. It slipped past her lips like a whispered prayer, and I swear the world stopped spinning.
I blinked rapidly, unsure if my mind was playing cruel tricks on me. But then her eyes, those soft, ocean-blue eyes, fluttered open again, clearer now. Her gaze locked onto mine.
"Emily?" My voice cracked as I leaned in closer. "Emily, babe—are you awake?"
She gave me the smallest nod, and the sweetest, most exhausted smile I’d ever seen.
"I missed you," she murmured.
I didn’t even think—I threw my arms around her, holding her like I'd been drowning and she was the only thing keeping me afloat. Relief crashed over me in waves, my heart pounding against hers.
“Ow,” she winced.
I pulled back immediately. “Shit, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you—God, I’m just... I’m just so glad you're back.”
She giggled softly. “It’s okay. I like that you missed me.”
“You have no idea,” I whispered, brushing her hair from her forehead. “You’ve been out for a week. A whole week, Emily.”
Her eyes widened. “A week? That long?”
“Yeah. I was losing my mind,” I admitted. “I’ve been here every single day. Amanda and Luca too. Everyone’s been praying you’d wake up.”
She sighed, her voice barely a whisper. “I remember the crash. Everything went black so fast. I thought I’d never see you again.”
I swallowed hard. “You scared the hell out of me.”
Just then, I remembered her parents. “Wait here—I mean, obviously, stay put. I’ll go get your mom and dad.”
I rushed out the door and didn’t even have to go far—her parents were right there in the hallway. I didn’t even have to speak; the look on my face said it all.
“She’s awake,” I managed.
Her mom gasped. “What?!” Her dad nearly knocked me over as they both stormed into the room.
I hung back at the doorway, watching as they rushed to her side. Her mom was crying, holding Emily’s hand, kissing her forehead like she was five years old again.
Her dad kept saying, “Oh my God. Thank God. Thank God,” over and over again.
My heart warmed at the sight of it.
Then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Mom.
I stepped into the hallway and answered, “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” she said. “I just got back from the office and went to your place but you’re not home. Everything okay?”
I smiled. “Yeah. I’m at the hospital.”
“What? Are you sick?! Adam, what’s going on?”
“No, no—it’s not me. It’s... it’s my girl.”
“Your what?”
I could practically hear her eyebrows raise. “You have a girlfriend now?”
I laughed softly, my eyes drifting back to the room where Emily’s parents were fussing over her. “Yeah. Her name’s Emily. She was in an accident.”
“Oh, sweetheart... I had no idea.”
“She just woke up, Mom. Just now. You have no idea how happy I am.”
“Well, thank God she’s okay. And thank you for staying by her side. That’s what love is, honey. When can I meet her?”
“As soon as she’s stronger,” I said. “We’ll come over.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she replied. “And Adam?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m proud of you. I mean it.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”
We ended the call just as the door creaked open behind me. Emily’s mom stepped out, wiping her tears.
“She’s going to be okay,” I said, trying to comfort her.
She nodded slowly, but then turned to me with red-rimmed eyes. “Adam... can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
She looked at me like she was studying my soul. “Do you truly love Emily?”
There was no hesitation. “With everything I am.”
She took a breath and held out her hand. “Come with me.”
Confused, I followed her through the hallway and out to a quiet corner just outside the hospital’s garden.
“She means the world to you, doesn’t she?” she asked, still looking ahead.
“Yes,” I said. “She’s everything.”
She finally turned to me, and I saw something fragile behind her tired eyes. “I believe you. And that’s why I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?” I asked, a knot forming in my stomach. “Are you traveling again?”
She gave me a sad smile. “No. I’m... leaving, yes. But not for work.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“My husband and I—” she paused, looking down at her hands. “We’ve tried. For years, we’ve tried to make this marriage work. But it’s not working. We’ve been living in denial, and it’s not fair to Emily.”
I stood frozen. “You’re getting a divorce?”
She nodded, her voice cracking. “It’s official. We’ve filed the papers. We didn’t want to tell Emily right away, not with her in that condition, but she’ll have to know soon.”
“Wow...” was all I could say.
She gripped my arm. “That’s why I’m telling you this now. She’ll need someone. Someone stable. Someone who won’t leave when things get hard. Someone who truly loves her.”
“I won’t leave her,” I said firmly.
“She’s going to be hurt,” she whispered. “But if she has you, it might not destroy her.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of that responsibility hit me like a freight train. But I welcomed it. I’d do anything for Emily.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said. “I’ll be there for her. Always.”