Justin steadied his breath as he pushed open the door to the hospital ward. He inexplicably tensed up at that

moment.

Few things ever made him nervous because only a few people ever had the power to. Besides his grandfather, Bella was the only one who had that power.

The room was silent, save for the rhythmic hum of medical equipment.

Bella was awake, leaning against the headboard. Her face was turned toward the pitch-black window. There was neither the moon nor stars, just an endless expanse of void. Whatever held her gaze was a mystery.

Justin froze mid-step, his eyes darkening as he caught sight of her.

For a moment, he felt as though even breathing required permission. The girl who had once radiated optimism, so dazzling and full of life, now seemed completely drained.

Bella looked so fragile and forlorn that the slightest breeze could scatter her into nothingness.

After a while, Bella became aware of his presence. She turned her head slowly, her dazed expression meeting his deep, ocean-like eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

an oversized hospital gown, her frail body trembled slightly. The corner of her

in hand, stepping toward her one deliberate step at a time. His gaze was dark,

laugh. The veins on the back of her hand, pierced by an IV needle, stood out in bluish relief." Thanks to you, Mr. Salvador, I haven't frozen

of her curled up in the snow, pitiful and broken, flashed in his mind. His chest

abuse your own body like this? Does it amuse you?" Her heart tightened. The already pallid color of her face seemed to drain

my promise to you. But that day... It wasn't possible." Justin's tone was harsh, but it betrayed a flicker

stubborn. "Why not that

a hurry to find

"Who?" Her voice cracked.

slightly. The words circled in his throat, but when they emerged, they sounded distant and

a smile steeped in anguish, an almost unbearable sight. She regretted asking. Why had she

person could occupy his mind and lead him to cast

do this again." Justin placed the thermos on the bedside table,

dropped her gaze. "You're right. It's not worth it. So

her despair had reached its

actions amounted to nothing more than a

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