31.

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When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I thought about was Ren. It hit me all over again—the blood, the ambulance, the hospital room, the way she looked so small and still in that bed. But I refused to let myself spiral. Today was her birthday, and if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that Ren was too damn stubborn to let this be the end.

I got dressed fast, slipping on some leggings and an oversized hoodie, throwing my hair into a messy claw clip before grabbing my bag and quietly slipping out of the house. I wasn't in the mood for another conversation with Mommy, especially not before I had the chance to see Ren again.

The air was crisp as I hopped out my jeep and hurried down the sidewalk, pulling my hoodie tighter around me. I made my way to one of my favorite cafés, a small spot tucked into the corner of a shopping strip that had the best pastries and cakes. As soon as I stepped inside, the warm scent of vanilla and coffee wrapped around me, instantly making me feel a little better.

The lady at the counter smiled when she saw me. "Morning, sweetheart. What can I get for you?"

I exhaled, tapping my fingers against the glass display case as I scanned the options. "I need a birthday cake. Something good."

Her eyes twinkled. "Whose birthday?"

I hesitated before saying, "Someone real special to me."

She nodded knowingly and pointed at a cake in the case. It was simple—white with gold accents, a little elegant but not too fancy. "This one's fresh. Vanilla with a little bit of caramel in the middle."

I thought about it. Ren liked sweet stuff, but nothing too overpowering. This felt right. "I'll take it."

She boxed it up nicely, and after I paid, I left the café with the cake balanced carefully in my arms. I made my way to Steph's penthouse, sending Zuri a quick text when I got close.

Me: I'm outside. Let's go see your sister.

Not even two minutes later, Zuri was rushing out the door, her hair pulled into a messy puff, her hoodie looking like she just threw it on. She was moving fast, but when she saw the cake, she paused. "You really got her a cake?"

I shrugged. "She deserves it."

For a second, Zuri just looked at me, something unreadable in her expression. Then, she nodded. "Yeah. She does."

We headed to the hospital together, the car ride mostly quiet except for Zuri scrolling on her phone. I could tell she was nervous. Honestly, I was too.

When we pulled up to the hospital, I exhaled deeply, steadying myself. I glanced at Zuri. "You ready?"

She nodded, gripping the straps of her backpack. "Yeah."

We got out and made our way inside, moving quickly through the halls. My heart was pounding as we reached the waiting room, but when we stepped into Ren's room, all of that nervous energy melted away.

Because there she was. Still unconscious, still hooked up to machines, but somehow... she looked stronger. Like she was fighting.

And I knew, without a doubt, that she was going to wake up.

The soft beeping of the monitors filled the room as Zuri and I sat beside Ren, our eyes flickering over her every few seconds, silently willing her to open those stubborn eyes of hers. I had barely gotten any sleep last night, my mind replaying every memory I had with her like a movie on repeat.

The door creaked open, and the doctor stepped inside, holding his clipboard against his chest. His expression was neutral, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. He'd probably been monitoring Ren all night.

"Good morning, ladies," he greeted in a quiet tone, nodding at both of us before making his way to Ren's bedside.

"Morning," I responded softly, and Zuri murmured the same.

He checked the monitors, scanning the numbers on the screen, before gently lifting Ren's hand and pressing his fingers against her wrist to check her pulse. His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he leaned in and whispered something to the nurse standing beside him. She nodded, scribbling something down on her chart before they both turned and silently walked out.

I hated when doctors did that. Whispered stuff like we weren't right here, like we didn't have the right to know what was going on.

Zuri must've felt the same way because she sucked her teeth. "I hate when they do that."

"Me too."

For a few moments, we just sat there in silence. I glanced at the box on the table beside me, the birthday cake still perfectly intact except for a tiny dent in the frosting from the car ride. Ren would probably laugh at me for even thinking about bringing her cake while she was knocked out, but I wanted her to feel special. Even if she wasn't awake to see it yet.

Zuri must've been thinking the same thing because she nudged me. "You know..." she started, her voice slow like she was trying to sound innocent, "if Ren was awake, she'd be mad as hell if we let this cake just sit here."

I raised a brow. "You tryna say we should eat it?"

"Not all of it," she said quickly, already reaching for the box. "Just a little taste test."

I laughed but didn't argue as she popped the box open and grabbed two plastic forks from the little tray near Ren's bed. She handed me one before scooping out a small bite of the cake.

I watched as she took a bite, her expression blank at first, then her eyes widened. "Oh, nah, this is good," she said, covering her mouth with her hand as she chewed.

I smirked before taking my own bite, and immediately, my taste buds were hit with the perfect balance of vanilla and caramel. The cake was soft, the frosting sweet but not too much. Damn, maybe I did good picking this one out.

"This is crazy," I muttered, taking another bite.

Zuri nodded, already going in for another scoop. "Ren gon' be sick when she wake up and see we ate some."

I laughed. "She'll live."

We sat there like that for a little while, eating small bites of the cake, talking in hushed voices, and every now and then, glancing over at Ren, waiting for any sign that she was about to wake up.

The air in the room felt thick with anticipation as the doctor stepped inside, his expression much more hopeful than before. I sat up straighter, my heart already racing before he even spoke.

"We're going to try to bring her out," he said, his voice steady. "She's stabilizing quickly, and we believe she may be ready."

Zuri and I exchanged looks, and I could already see the excitement on her face mirroring my own. Finally, Ren was waking up. Finally.

As soon as the doctors started moving, the energy in the room shifted. Nurses poured in, checking the monitors, preparing equipment, and adjusting the IV lines. The beeping of machines grew louder, almost deafening. My hands were clenched into fists in my lap as I watched them work, my whole body tensed with anticipation.

One of the doctors leaned over Ren, speaking softly as they slowly started the process of pulling her out of the medically induced coma. I held my breath, my eyes locked on her face. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, her fingers twitched.

"Ren?" I whispered, leaning forward.

Zuri grabbed my arm. "She movin'," she breathed out, eyes wide.

A second later, I saw it. Her eyelids fluttered, barely cracking open before falling shut again. It was small, but it was something. My heart nearly burst out of my chest.

"She's responding," one of the nurses confirmed, her voice calm but urgent.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

The machines started beeping wildly, alarms blaring through the room. Ren's body tensed up, her back arching off the bed as she began convulsing violently.

"No, no, no!" I jumped up, my whole body moving on instinct as I tried to rush to her side, but strong arms blocked me before I could reach her.

"Step back!" One of the nurses commanded, but I was barely listening.

"Let me go!" I fought against the hands holding me, panic surging through me like wildfire.

Zuri was next to me, her face drained of all color. "Ren!" she screamed, trying to push past the doctors as well, but they wouldn't let either of us near her.

"Get them out of here," one of the doctors ordered.

"No! I'm not leaving her!" I shouted, my voice breaking, but they weren't listening.

Everything was a blur. Nurses rushed to inject her with something, one of the doctors yelling out commands, and all I could do was stand there helpless as they dragged me and Zuri out of the room.

The last thing I saw before the door slammed shut in my face was Ren's body still shaking violently against the hospital bed, her face twisted in pain.

I felt like I couldn't breathe. Like the walls were closing in.

This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to wake up. She was supposed to be okay.

Zuri was gripping my arm tightly, her breath coming out in sharp, panicked gasps. I could feel my own chest rising and falling too fast, but I couldn't control it.

The moment the doctors stepped out, I held my breath, bracing myself for the worst. Their expressions, though tired, looked relieved, and I felt some of the weight on my chest ease.

"The medication shocked her system," one of them explained, "but she's awake now. She's stable."

Zuri and I both exhaled at the same time, our bodies sagging with relief.

"She's up?" Zuri asked, her voice barely above a whisper, like she was afraid speaking too loud would jinx it.

The doctor nodded. "She might be groggy, but she's responsive. You can go in."

Zuri turned to me, her eyes filled with hesitation. "You wanna go first?"

I shook my head, offering her a small smile. "Nah, you go. She's gonna be real happy to see you first."

"You sure?"

"Positive," I assured her.

Zuri didn't waste another second, pushing past the doctors and heading into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. I let out a breath and leaned against the wall, letting the moment settle in. Ren was okay. Well, she wasn't okay, but she was alive. That was enough for now.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, expecting missed calls from my mom or maybe another text from my dad, but instead, my heart dropped when I saw Wyatt's name pop up on my screen.

Wyatt: Are you enjoying the resort?

I stared at the message for a second before my fingers moved on their own.

Me: Yes baby

I locked my phone immediately after sending it, my stomach twisting. I didn't know if it was guilt or just exhaustion. Maybe both.

I exhaled sharply and ran a hand down my face. I needed to pull it together. I just needed to get through today, to focus on Ren. Everything else could wait.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

As soon as Zuri stepped out of the room, wiping at her face, I knew my heart wasn't ready for what was about to happen.

"She's up?" I asked, my voice unsteady.

Zuri nodded quickly, sniffling. "Yeah... yeah, she's up. She's talking, she's..." She let out a shaky laugh. "She's still Ren."

That should've eased me, but it didn't. My heart was racing like I was about to do something dangerous, something irreversible.

"You tell her I was here?" I asked.

Zuri shook her head. "Nah. I feel like that's something you should do yourself." She sniffled and gestured toward the door. "Go. She needs to see you."

I hesitated at the door, gripping the handle so tight my knuckles turned white. My heart was racing, my stomach twisting in knots. Zuri had already been in there—already seen her, talked to her. Now it was my turn.

I swallowed hard and pushed the door open.

The room was dimly lit, the soft beep of monitors filling the silence. Ren was lying there, still and pale, her chest rising and falling steadily. She looked... different. Weaker. Vulnerable.

It hurt to see her like this.

I took a shaky step forward, my pulse hammering in my ears. I should say something. I should—

Her fingers twitched against the blanket.

Then, ever so slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

At first, she just stared at the ceiling, dazed, blinking like she was trying to make sense of where she was. Then, as if she could feel me watching, her gaze shifted—landed on me.

Her eyebrows pulled together. Confusion flickered in her dark eyes, her lips parting slightly.

"Yanna?" Her voice was rough, hoarse from disuse. She sounded uncertain, like she thought she was dreaming.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and forced a small smile. "Hey, baby."

Her forehead creased deeper. She blinked a few times, as if trying to clear her vision. "No way..." Her voice was weak, almost disbelieving. Her gaze flickered to the machines around her, then back to me. "What... what are you doing here?"

That one stung.

I stepped closer, my breath unsteady. "I came as soon as I heard."

She still looked confused, like she couldn't quite process it. "I—" She tried to lift her hand, then winced, her whole body stiffening. She let out a slow breath and just stared at me, studying me hard.

Then, slowly, something shifted in her expression.

Recognition.

Realization.

Her lips parted, and I saw the exact moment it hit her that I was real, that I was really here.

Her breath hitched. "Yanna." This time, it wasn't a question.

Tears burned my eyes. I nodded, my throat tight.

Her face softened, and for the first time since she woke up, a small, tired smirk tugged at her lips. "Shit... I really must be dying."

I let out a teary laugh, shaking my head. "Shut up, Ren."

She exhaled shakily, her eyes never leaving mine. Then, even as weak as she was, she lifted her hand just enough to reach for me.

I took it instantly, holding on tight, grounding myself in her warmth.

Her fingers curled weakly around mine, her gaze searching my face. Then, finally, finally, a real smile—small, but real—broke across her lips.

"I told you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I told you we'd find our way back to each other."

My heart clenched.

I let out a shaky breath, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "Yeah, baby," I murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "You did."