Avery's POV → Axel's POV
Avery's POV
Darkness felt heavy.
Not empty… just heavy.
Like my body didn't belong to me anymore.
Then slowly—
Warmth.
Arms around me.
A steady chest beneath my cheek.
For a brief second, my heart softened.
Sir…?
The thought came instinctively.
Axel.
Relief flickered weakly inside me as I leaned into the warmth, too tired to think, too weak to question.
But then… something felt wrong.
The scent.
It wasn't the same.
It wasn't the quiet, clean, almost faint scent I had come to associate with him during those small classroom moments when he passed by.
This was different.
Stronger.
Unfamiliar.
My brows furrowed slightly as awareness crept in.
No…
This wasn't him.
My heart dropped.
Disappointment settled quietly in my chest.
Slowly, I forced my eyes open. The bright hospital lights blurred at first, then steadied.
And then I saw him.
Austin.
Holding me carefully, his arm supporting my back, his expression soft with concern.
"You're awake," he said gently. "Easy… don't move too much."
My throat felt dry. "Sir…" I whispered weakly.
But it wasn't the "Sir" I wanted.
I shifted slightly, uncomfortable now, the warmth no longer comforting. It felt… wrong. Foreign.
"I'm okay…" I murmured softly, trying to sit properly.
Austin immediately adjusted, helping me gently. "You're safe," he said. "That's all that matters."
But my eyes moved past him instinctively.
Searching.
Where is he…?
Axel's POV
The door opened quietly.
Axel stepped in.
And stopped.
Avery…
In Austin's arms.
Her body resting against him. Close. Comfortable—
No.
Not comfortable.
But close enough.
Something sharp twisted in his chest instantly.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes darkened.
For a brief second, he said nothing. Just watched.
Then he moved.
Without a word, he walked forward, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere in the room. Austin looked up, surprised—but Axel didn't wait.
He gently took Avery from him.
Carefully. Controlled.
One arm supporting her back, the other steady as he lifted her slightly and placed her back onto the bed. His movements were precise, making sure she was comfortable, adjusting her head softly against the pillow.
For a moment, his hand lingered near her face.
Then he turned.
His gaze locking onto Austin.
"Outside."
The word was low. Cold.
Dangerous.
Austin stood slowly. This time, he didn't argue. But the tension between them was already thick.
They stepped out into the hallway.
And the door closed behind them.
Avery's POV
The sudden silence felt heavier than before.
My chest tightened faintly.
Something wasn't right.
I could feel it.
Then—
A sound.
A sharp one.
A hit.
My eyes widened slightly.
Voices followed. Low at first… then rising.
"…Don't touch her like that again."
That was him.
Axel.
Sir…
My heart beat faster.
Then Austin's voice, sharper now—
"What is wrong with you?"
Another sound.
A struggle.
My fingers curled weakly against the sheets.
"…You went to see her again, didn't you?"
My breath caught.
Her…?
"…You left your wife—"
"…Watch your words…" Axel's voice came, colder now.
"…You don't deserve her!"
Silence.
Then—
Another hit.
My chest tightened painfully. I couldn't move, couldn't fully sit up, but I heard enough.
Enough to feel something shift inside me.
Confusion.
Hurt.
Fear.
Axel's POV
Austin's words hit harder than the punch.
"You went to see her again, didn't you?"
Silence followed.
Because it was true.
And that silence made it worse.
Austin's expression hardened instantly. "You left her… for that woman?"
Axel's jaw tightened. No denial. No explanation.
Just control.
That was enough.
Austin punched him.
Axel staggered slightly—then hit back.
Harder.
The fight broke out instantly. Raw. Angry.
"You don't deserve her!"
"And you think you do?" Axel snapped, grabbing him.
Fists collided again.
"You left her!"
"I came back!"
"Too late!"
"Enough!"
"STOP!"
A nurse rushed toward them, furious. "This is a hospital! If you don't stop, I will have both of you removed immediately!"
They froze.
Breathing heavily.
Anger still burning.
But the moment was over.
Avery's POV
Footsteps.
The door opened again.
I didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But my eyes were open now.
Watching.
Axel walked in slowly.
And for the first time…
I didn't feel just nervous around him.
I felt… unsure.
Hurt.
He came closer. Carefully.
"Avery…"
His voice was softer now.
I looked at him. "Sir…"
My voice was weak. But steady enough.
"I thought…" I swallowed slightly. "You weren't coming…"
Something shifted in his expression.
Then suddenly—
He pulled me into his arms.
Tightly.
Carefully—but firmly.
His hand held the back of my head, pressing me gently against his chest.
"I'm here," he said, low and steady. "I'm here."
My hands rested weakly against him.
This time—
The warmth felt right.
Familiar.
My chest tightened. "It hurt…" I whispered.
His grip tightened slightly.
And then he said it.
Low. Firm.
"She's my wife… and I know how to take care of her."
The words settled heavily between us.
He pulled back just enough to look at me.
His eyes—
Different.
Not distant.
Not cold.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
I blinked, surprised.
"I won't let anything happen to you again," he continued. "I'll protect you. With my life."
My breath caught slightly.
Axel's POV (Inner)
Austin's words echoed faintly.
You left her…
He looked at Avery.
Weak. Hurt. Still looking at him like he mattered.
Like she was waiting for him.
And something inside him settled.
Selena.
For the first time…
Didn't matter.
Not like this.
Not anymore.
His jaw tightened slightly.
No more.
No more going back.
No more searching.
No more dividing himself.
Avery came first now.
And this time—
It wasn't just a decision.
It was a promise.