The infirmary on the island was quiet except for the faint beeping of machines and the steady rhythm of the ocean waves crashing against distant cliffs.
Robin lay on the hospital bed, pale, still, wrapped in gauze and bandages. For the first time in days, the fierce commander, General Adriel Kael, looked unbearably fragile.
A single lamp cast a warm glow over his face.
Outside the glass door, soldiers guarded the corridor. No one dared enter without permission.
And sitting beside his bed—motionless, tired, eyes red—was Fiona.
She had stayed the entire night.
Her hands rested on the edge of the bed, fingers slightly brushing Robin's.
Not romantically.Not possessively.But gratefully.
Because he took a bullet for her.
Because he almost died for her.
A soft rustle broke the silence.
Robin's eyelids twitched.
Fiona shot up, breath hitching. "Adriel? Robin? Can you hear me?"
Another flutter.
Then—slowly, painfully—his eyes opened.
Grey. Sharp. Confused and exhausted.
They scanned the room once, twice—
And landed on her.
His breath trembled. "Fiona…"
Her eyes filled instantly. "You're awake… finally."
Robin tried to sit up, groaning as pain shot through his side. Fiona pressed a hand to his chest gently.
"No, don't," she whispered. "You need rest."
Robin looked down at her hand on him, then back at her face. Something softened in his eyes, something warm and familiar.
"How long… have I been out?" he asked, voice raspy.
"Two days," Fiona said. "You scared everyone."
His expression shifted into faint amusement. "You stayed?"
Fiona looked down, embarrassed. "Of course I stayed."
Robin's throat tightened. "Fiona…"
But before he could speak further—
The door slammed open.
Heavy footsteps.
Cold fury.
Liam.
He entered the infirmary like a storm, the kind that tore roofs and uprooted trees. His hair was messy, shirt half-open, jaw clenched so hard it looked painful.
His eyes went instantly to Fiona.
She was holding Robin's hand.
His blood boiled.
Fiona pulled her hand back quickly, but not fast enough—Liam had already seen.
Every muscle in Liam's body tensed.
Robin's gaze sharpened, protective. "Why is he here?"
Liam ignored him completely.
He walked straight to Fiona, eyes burning. "Why didn't anyone tell me he woke up?"
Fiona blinked. "Liam… calm down—"
"Calm down?" Liam's voice broke with anger. "You've been here with him all night? Alone?"
Robin scoffed softly. "Why do you sound jealous?"
Liam snapped.
He turned sharply toward Robin. "If you weren't half-dead in that bed, I'd make sure you never spoke again."
Robin smirked weakly. "Try me."
Fiona stood up immediately, stepping between them. "Stop. Both of you!"
Liam's eyes were fixed on Robin, full of a fury even the soldiers outside would fear.
But then he saw it—
The sheen of tears in Fiona's eyes.The exhaustion on her face.The way her hands trembled slightly.
And his entire expression shifted.
The anger melted into hurt.
His voice dropped, almost pleading. "Fiona… come with me. Please."
Fiona didn't move.
She looked at Robin—injured, weak, needing her.
Then she looked at Liam—unraveling, desperate, losing her.
Her heart twisted painfully.
"I'm staying," she whispered.
Liam's breath stopped.
He blinked once… twice… as if trying to understand.
"You're choosing him?" he whispered.
"No," Fiona said softly. "I'm choosing myself. And right now… I need to be here."
Something shattered inside Liam's chest.
He stepped back slowly, as if struck.
Robin watched silently, jaw clenched.
Liam swallowed hard, eyes glassy for the first time. "Fiona… don't push me away."
Fiona closed her eyes.
"I'm not," she whispered. "I just need time."
Liam stood frozen.Silent.Bleeding from the inside.
Then he turned around and left, the door slamming behind him.
The room fell quiet again.
Fiona slowly sat back beside Robin, taking a shaky breath.
Robin watched her carefully. "He's losing his mind over you."
"I know," she whispered.
"He won't stop coming."
"I know."
Robin hesitated, then reached out and gently touched her wrist. "And what about you, Fiona? Who are you losing your mind over?"
She said nothing.
She didn't have to.
Her silence told both men everything.