It was a bright new morning, and Ember stirred awake, only to realize that Dylan was not beside her. Stretching lazily, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes before deciding to look for him. She walked to his room, where he lay fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. A fond smile touched her lips—she remembered how late he had stayed up the previous night, probably unwinding with a drink.
With a quiet chuckle, Ember turned away and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. The familiar warmth of the cozy space welcomed her, and so did Nana, who greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Nana," Ember said cheerfully.
"Good morning, dear. Why don't you relax while I get breakfast ready?" Nana replied, her voice gentle as always.
But Ember's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I make breakfast today?" she asked eagerly.
Nana studied the determination on Ember's face before letting out a soft chuckle. "Of course, dear. I'll leave the kitchen to you, but call me if you need any help."
As Nana left, Ember stood for a moment, glancing around the kitchen, lost in thought. Cooking had been her passion since childhood. With both her parents always busy at work, she had taken up the responsibility of looking after her little brother, who was five years younger. Over time, cooking had become more than just a chore—it became her escape, her joy, her way of expressing love.
After a moment of deliberation, she decided on a mix of sweet and savory for breakfast—fluffy pancakes, crispy Indian samosas with spicy green chutney, and steaming cups of masala tea. She worked with practiced ease, each movement precise and filled with care. An hour later, as she arranged everything neatly on the table, a sense of pride warmed her heart.
Unable to contain her excitement, Ember rushed upstairs to wake Dylan. Bursting into his room, she found him sprawled across the bed, his face peaceful, lost in deep slumber. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she walked closer, sitting beside him.
Leaning in, she gently caressed his face, her fingers tracing slow, tender circles on his cheek. "Good morning, honey," she whispered, her voice laced with affection. "It's time to wake up."
She pressed a delicate kiss to his cheek, savoring the warmth of the moment.
Dylan stirred, letting out a playful groan as he reached for Ember's hand and pulled her closer. Caught off guard, she let out a surprised yelp, tumbling onto his chest. She squirmed, trying to push herself up, but he tightened his arm around her waist, effortlessly keeping her in place.
"Just a little longer," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
Ember huffed, her lips forming a teasing pout as her hands rested on his. "Dylan, if you don't wake up now, the breakfast I made for you will get cold—and trust me, it won't taste as good then."
That got his attention. His eyes flickered open, a slow smirk curving his lips. Before she could react, he flipped her beneath him in one swift motion, trapping her under his warm, solid frame.
"Really?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
Heat rushed to Ember's cheeks as she nodded, suddenly all too aware of the way his gaze lingered on her. Her heart pounded when she caught sight of his unbuttoned shirt, revealing the toned expanse of his chest. Flustered, she let out a small gasp and quickly covered her eyes with her hands.
Dylan chuckled at her reaction, his amusement evident. Leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Wait here," he murmured, his voice gentle. "I'll freshen up and be right back."
As soon as he disappeared into the bathroom, Ember buried her face in the pillow, willing her racing heart to slow down. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure before heading downstairs to wait for him.
A few moments later, Dylan joined her at the dining table, his gaze immediately drawn to the delicious spread before him. His brow arched with curiosity as he picked up one of the golden, crispy triangles.
"What is this?" he asked, inspecting it with interest.
Ember's lips curved into a smile. "It's an Indian snack called samosa," she explained. "It's filled with spiced potatoes and served with this green chutney."
Intrigued, Dylan wasted no time digging in. The burst of flavors danced across his taste buds, and he couldn't stop himself from reaching for more. But the moment he dipped a samosa into the chutney and took a bite, the heat hit him like a fiery wave. His eyes widened in shock as he fanned his mouth frantically, his tongue sticking out in distress.
Ember burst into laughter, shaking her head at his exaggerated reaction. Quickly, she poured some water and brought it to his lips, gently helping him take a few sips from her hand before handing him the glass. But even after drinking, Dylan was still struggling with the spice, his expression pleading for relief.
Seeing his discomfort, Ember hurried to grab some honey. She reached for the bottle, but the lid was tightly sealed. Struggling for a moment, she finally managed to twist it open—only for a few drops of honey to spill onto her hand.
Just as she was about to wipe it away, Dylan caught her wrist and, without hesitation, brought her hand to his lips. He slowly licked the honey from her skin, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
Startled and flustered, Ember tried to pull away, her cheeks burning. But in her haste, the honey jar slipped from her grasp. It crashed to the floor, shattering into sharp pieces.
A sudden, sharp pain shot through her leg. Ember gasped, stumbling as she looked down to see a jagged shard embedded in her ankle. Blood pooled around her foot, the crimson stark against the white tiles.
"Ember!" Dylan's voice was filled with panic as he lunged toward her. Without a second thought, he tore off his shirt and wrapped it tightly around her ankle, trying to stem the bleeding. His hands trembled as he pressed down, desperation in his every movement.
"It hurts," Ember whimpered, tears spilling down her cheeks. The pain was unbearable, her vision blurring.
Dylan didn't hesitate. He scooped her into his arms, holding her close as he rushed toward the door. "Stay with me, Ember. I've got you," he murmured, his voice filled with urgency.
She clung to him weakly, but with each passing second, her breathing grew shallower. The world around her dimmed, her body growing heavier in his arms.
"Look at me, Ember," Dylan urged, his voice trembling with fear. "Stay awake. Take a deep breath, please."
But her eyelids fluttered, her grip on him loosening. Panic surged through him as he held her even tighter, refusing to let go.
By the time they reached the hospital, Dylan's shirt was soaked in blood. His breath came in ragged gasps as he carried Ember straight into the emergency room, his heart pounding with fear. Desperation clung to his every step as he called his uncle, a doctor at the hospital.
He refused to leave her side, his hands trembling as he watched the medical team work tirelessly to stop the bleeding. The sight of her pale face, her body barely stirring, sent a fresh wave of panic through him. Leaning closer, he whispered softly, his voice shaking,
"You'll be okay, Ember. I promise."
While Ember was being rushed into the emergency room, Adrien, who happened to be at the hospital, caught sight of Dylan carrying someone. Though he couldn't see clearly who it was, the urgency in Dylan's movements made his stomach tighten with unease. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and handed Dylan his lab coat.
"What's the rush that you didn't even put on a shirt?" Adrien asked, offering a teasing smile in an attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere.
But Dylan didn't laugh. His breath hitched as he turned to face Adrien—his best friend from the past, someone he hadn't seen in years. Tears brimmed in Dylan's eyes before spilling over as he choked out,
"Adrien... it's Ember… her leg… the blood isn't stopping."
Adrien's expression shifted instantly, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by concern. Placing a firm, reassuring hand on Dylan's shoulder, he spoke calmly.
"I'll take a look. Just try to calm down."
Wasting no time, Adrien hurried into the room where the doctors were tending to Ember. His sharp eyes scanned the scene—blood still seeping through the bandages despite their efforts. A deep frown settled on his face as he approached the lead doctor.
"What's the situation?" Adrien asked, his voice steady but urgent.
The doctor sighed, his face etched with worry. "The bleeding isn't stopping. We may need to stitch the wound immediately and start an IV line to stabilize her before she loses more blood."
Adrien nodded, his mind already racing through possible solutions. Glancing at Ember's unconscious form, he clenched his fists. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. Not on his watch.
Adrien gave a firm nod, his mind quickly assessing the situation. "Let's go with the stitches to close the wound and set up an IV. Also, find out her blood group."
The moment Dylan heard this, he didn't hesitate. "Her blood group is B+. I'll get the blood!" Without wasting a second, he turned and rushed to arrange it, his only thought being Ember's safety.
Time felt agonizingly slow, but after what felt like an eternity, Ember was finally stabilized. Though unconscious, her breathing had steadied, and the worst of the danger had passed. She was transferred to a private ward, where Dylan sat beside her, his fingers gently wrapped around hers. His eyes never left her face, watching every rise and fall of her chest, silently pleading for her to wake up.
The door opened quietly, and Adrien stepped inside, his gaze falling on Dylan's exhausted frame. "What happened, Dylan?" he asked gently.
Dylan exhaled a shaky breath, his grip on Ember's hand tightening slightly. "I've never seen so much blood from just a small cut." His voice was filled with disbelief as he shook his head. "It was like a nightmare. I didn't know what to do… she was in so much pain."
Adrien frowned, his medical instincts kicking in. "It's unusual," he admitted, deep in thought. Then, placing a reassuring hand on Dylan's shoulder, he said, "Come on, let's grab a coffee. She'll wake up in a few hours, so we have some time. You need to take a breath and clear your head. We'll talk it out."
Dylan hesitated, torn between leaving Ember's side and acknowledging the exhaustion weighing him down. After a moment, he finally nodded. Before stepping away, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I'll be back soon," he whispered, his voice laced with affection. Then, with one last glance at Ember, he followed Adrien out of the room.
Inside Adrien's room, Dylan frowned, glancing around. "Why are we here instead of the canteen?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.
Adrien smirked as he prepared the coffee. "If we go to the canteen, a crowd will gather. Patients in need shouldn't have to deal with that, don't you think?" he explained casually.
Dylan let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as he sat down. He appreciated Adrien's thoughtfulness more than he cared to admit.
Adrien handed him a cup of coffee before settling into the chair across from him. His expression turned serious. "You know, Ember went through a lot today," he began, his voice calm yet firm. "She's facing so much for you. I think you should know… she told me how she ended up here and how she met you."
Dylan leaned forward, his grip tightening around the coffee cup. His full attention was on Adrien now.
Adrien took a deep breath before continuing. "Yesterday, she told me her story, and it got me thinking." His voice lowered slightly. "I started looking into the details last night. I didn't sleep at all—I've been here at the hospital, digging for information. And I found something strange."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle between them. Dylan's eyes darkened with concern.
Adrien met his gaze, unwavering. "The day you found Ember here, a unique star appeared in the sky." He let that sink in before adding, "Interestingly, I discovered a similar case in another country. A man there claimed he was teleported from his home to another place every night—just like Ember."
Dylan's jaw tightened, his mind racing.
Adrien leaned forward, his tone grave. "It happened regularly. But one day, when the star disappeared… he couldn't return home anymore."
A cold shiver ran down Dylan's spine. The thought of losing Ember, of her being trapped somewhere she didn't belong, sent a wave of fear crashing over him.
Dylan's face tensed as he listened intently, his coffee untouched in his hands. His grip on the mug tightened while his mind raced through every possibility.
Adrien leaned forward, his voice steady but laced with concern. "I'm still piecing everything together, but what happened to Ember today is alarming. If this phenomenon keeps repeating… even small injuries could turn life-threatening for her."
Dylan exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair as he processed the information. "When did that man stop teleporting?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
Adrien shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure, but according to reports, it happened the moment that star disappeared from the sky. I need more time to figure it out."
Dylan's jaw clenched as he set the coffee mug aside. "Keep me updated. I want to know everything you find. Please." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Adrien nodded, offering a small reassuring smile. "I will. But for now, don't overthink it. Take care of Ember… and yourself, alright?"
Dylan's gaze darkened as he stood up. "This doesn't mean I've forgiven you for what you did back then." His voice was cold, edged with an old bitterness that hadn't faded. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
Adrien let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "He's not letting his guard down anytime soon," he muttered under his breath. Shaking his head, he followed Dylan back to Ember's ward.
As they stepped inside, Dylan's focus immediately shifted back to her. He turned to Adrien, his voice filled with urgency. "How's her condition now?"
Adrien grabbed Ember's chart, scanning the latest notes before responding. "She's stable, but moving around in her current state could worsen her condition. Complete rest is critical. We also need to monitor her closely to understand her health better." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "If you're okay with it, I'd like to examine her personally to keep an eye on her progress."
Dylan's eyes narrowed slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "I'll ask her about it first. If she agrees, then it's fine." His tone made it clear—Ember's comfort came before anything else.