"Cain…" she croaked out.
The figure stilled.
And then, he turned slowly.
As if he didn't believe what he'd just heard. As if he couldn't risk hope.
His eyes met hers, and the mask he'd worn for weeks shattered in an instant.
~~~~~~~~~
Cain staggered toward her, as if afraid that if he moved too quickly, she might disappear.
"Avery…" It wasn't a whisper this time. It was a desperate, broken sound that came from his chest.
Before she could say anything else, he was at her bedside, sinking to his knees with a thud so heavy it made the floor tremble.
His hands clutched the bedsheets like a lifeline, his head bowing until his forehead pressed against her hip. His shoulders shook once.
Avery, dazed, reached out a trembling hand and brushed her fingers through his hair. He flinched at the touch—not pulling away, but as if the gentleness hurt him more than any wound could.
