Chapter 125: What He Still Chose
Theo woke slowly, not all at once, but in pieces.
Danielle's fingers were wrapped around his hand, careful but strong enough, like she was afraid he might disappear again if she loosened her grip.
Her thumb moved in slow circles against his skin, the way she did when she was nervous but trying not to show it.
Theo opened his eyes.
The world steadied when he saw her face.
She looked exhausted. Not the kind of tired that sleep fixed, but the kind that came from surviving something that was never supposed to happen.
Her hair was pulled back messily, eyes shadowed, lips pressed together like she was holding herself upright by will alone.
But she was here.
Theo swallowed. Even that small movement hurt, but he welcomed it. Pain meant he was alive. Pain meant he had not failed.
"Bunny," he said again, softer this time.
