Something came to an abrupt halt.
After Summer Thorne spoke, Timothy York remained still.
But he was keenly aware of her presence in his arms.
Soft. Warm.
Real.
Timothy York gently raised his hand.
His once-tense fingers now seemed normal again.
No uncontrollable trembling.
Nor any irrepressible pain.
Whatever had been clamoring to seize control of his very veins just a moment before had now completely receded, vanishing without a sound.
After a long moment, he gently stroked the back of her head.
Sensing his movement, Summer Thorne hugged him even tighter.
"Don't leave tonight, okay?"
After what felt like an eternity, she finally heard Timothy York's reply—
"Okay."
...
「Later that night」
The "Do Not Disturb" light outside the private hospital room was on.
The small glass window on the door was completely covered by a towel.
