Rayna's head rested beside Ethan's arm, her cheek nestled against the hospital bed as she slept soundly. Her hand draped over his; her grip was loose but warm, as if even in sleep she didn't want to let go.

Ethan blinked slowly, his surroundings blurring into focus. The white walls and faint hum of machines told him where he was, but his gaze quickly settled on Rayna. Her peaceful face was so close he could almost feel her breath.

He felt a surge of relief seeing her safe and unharmed. But as the relief faded, he winced, remembering how he'd landed here. He felt embarrassed that he'd gotten hurt—it wasn't exactly the cool, suave impression he'd hoped to make, especially since he'd been trying to protect her. He stayed as still as possible, not wanting to disturb her, and let his thoughts drift back to the moment he'd lunged to save her. He could still see it: the car barreling toward her, the realization hitting him that he couldn't stand idly by. He'd planned to sail that night, to bury himself in the vastness of the sea and forget his troubles. But instead, he'd ended up at her bakery, unable to ignore the feeling that leaving meant losing her.

He hadn't acted his best around her, he knew that. He'd been rough, cold, and distant. But looking at her now, he couldn't deny it any longer—he loved her. Whether she was Rayna or the "crazy lady" he'd met at the club, she was still the Golden Sun he'd fallen for. Slowly, he raised his aching hand, wanting to touch her, to reassure himself she was real and not a dream. But just as he reached out, Rayna stirred, lifting her head slightly. Ethan dropped his hand, closing his eyes to feign unconsciousness as she sat up and looked at him.

She sighed softly and wrapped her hand around his. "How long do you plan to stay unconscious? I need you to wake up and tell me what you were thinking," she said, her voice low, half-scolding but filled with concern. "You're an idiot, you know that? Jumping in to save someone you don't even like what were you thinking, risking your life like that?" she murmured, brushing her thumb gently over his knuckles. "Now what am I supposed to do with you, huh? You messed up your hand. Just what do you expect me to do? How do I face you knowing I'm the reason you're lying here?" He bit back a smile.

He was about to open his eyes, to say something reassuring, when a sudden, loud sound broke the quiet—a fart.

Ethan froze, his eyes shut tighter, resisting the urge to react; he didn't want to embarrass her. They were alone in the room, and if he hadn't done it, which he knew he hadn't, then it was Rayna.

Rayna let out a little groan, rubbing her stomach. "Oh, gosh. That stinks," she muttered, clearly unaware of Ethan's consciousness. "I really need to use the restroom," she said as the odor filled the room, and she rose to go. Ethan held his breath, a silent laugh bubbling inside him despite the pain. He waited until he heard the restroom door close, then cracked his eyes open, glancing around to ensure she was truly gone before letting out a soft chuckle. The absurdity of the moment brought a genuine smile to his face, and he chuckled quietly, wondering how she would have reacted if he'd opened his eyes at that moment. When he heard familiar voices at the door and saw it opening, he quickly shut his eyes, hoping to escape detection as Derek, Evelyn, and Derek's parents entered the room.

"Why is he alone? Where is Rayna?" Evelyn wondered, reaching for her phone to call Rayna, but before she could, Rayna stepped out of the restroom, her face flushed. "Hey! You're here," she greeted pleasantly.

"Mom, Dad," Derek said, nodding toward Rayna. "This is Rayna—Evelyn's best friend. Rayna, my parents." They exchanged pleasantries. Evelyn gave Rayna a warm look. "How are you holding up, Ray?"

Rayna glanced at Ethan, worry flickering in her eyes. "I'm not going to lie, I'm ridden with guilt. I just want him to wake up I want him to feel better. It's bad enough that he hates me; he's going to hate me even more when he wakes up and sees what happened because he tried to save me."

"I doubt that. Don't be too hard on yourself," Derek said, while Ethan quietly listened.

"Don't worry, okay? Everything will be okay," Evelyn said with a gentle smile.

"How is your mom?" Rayna asked. Evelyn shook her head.

"She hasn't regained consciousness yet," Evelyn said sadly, and Rayna sighed.

"I hope Sandra burns in hell. That girl is a devil," Rayna hissed, and they all agreed.

"Has the doctor checked on him this morning? Any reason why he's still unconscious?" Derek asked, moving closer to Ethan.

"The doctor came by earlier said he's stable and hopefully he'll be awake soon," Rayna said, and Derek nodded.

"Here," Derek said, handing her a food pack. "We brought breakfast for you." Rayna accepted it, nodding her thanks.

As they talked, Melvin, Vin, and Sarah arrived with little Ella and Samantha, who immediately ran to embrace their parents and grandparents.

After introductions, Derek's mother turned to Evelyn. "Could we take Samantha with us today? We'd love to spend some time with her," she said. Derek and Evelyn exchanged a glance, both nodding. "But Samantha doesn't have extra clothes," Evelyn pointed out. "Oh, don't worry about that," Derek's mother replied. "We'll set her up at home and pick up a few more things for her." "Will I get dolls too?" Samantha asked, and they all laughed. "Don't you have more than enough dolls already?" Evelyn asked. "I don't have any from Grandmother Stone," Samantha said, and they all laughed again. "You will definitely get as many dolls as you want," Derek's mother promised. "Now let's go."

Samantha bounced excitedly, hugging her parents and waving Ella goodbye before leaving with her grandparents. Derek and Evelyn escorted them out, waving until they were out of sight. Derek then whispered to Evelyn, "Is it just me, or did it look like Ethan's awake but playing possum?"

Evelyn laughed. "I'm pretty sure it's just you. Why would Ethan do something like that seeing how worried Rayna is?"

Back in Ethan's room, Melvin took a closer look at Ethan, studying him curiously. Sarah turned to Rayna. "We brought breakfast for you both. Make sure you eat something. You look like you could use it."

Rayna gave a sheepish nod. "Thanks. But I'm not sure I can keep anything down yet. I'm having a bit of an upset stomach."

"Maybe you should head home to freshen up and rest," Sarah suggested gently. "We can stay with Ethan."

Rayna hesitated, her eyes lingering on Ethan's face. "But I want to be here when he wakes up."

Sarah smiled knowingly. "Well, if he wakes up and sees you looking this rough, he might faint again. Are you sure you don't want to go home for a bit?" she asked as she sat down. Rayna scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I don't give a horseshit what he sees or thinks about me. I've decided I deserve better and I've moved on. I'm only here because he was ridiculous enough to get hurt saving me."

Melvin, whose gaze was still fixed on Ethan, spotted a slight scowl on his supposedly unconscious face. He let out a small chuckle. It was obvious Ethan didn't like what Rayna had just said. Wanting to provoke him further, he glanced at Rayna. "I see you've moved on, then?"

Rayna nodded confidently. "Yes, as soon as he's better, I'm signing up for all the dating apps."

"Too bad. Ethan's stubbornness has cost him more than just a few bruises," Sarah murmured.

Melvin grinned as he noticed Ethan's faint frown deepening. "Well, we'll make sure he knows he's been left in the dust. You do deserve better than a jerk like Ethan. Go ahead and take a little break, and we'll be here with him. I'll call you when he wakes up." Rayna glanced at Ethan one last time, her resolve softening slightly. "I'll try to freshen up quickly and come back," she said, and Melvin gestured to Sarah and Ella to see her off.

Once alone with Ethan, Melvin chuckled, leaning closer. "How long are you planning on keeping up the act?" he teased. "She's gone. You can open your eyes now." Slowly, Ethan cracked one eye open, looking sheepish. "How'd you know I was awake?" he asked weakly.

Melvin chuckled. "You weren't exactly subtle. I saw that scowl when she mentioned moving on."

Ethan scowled. "She's so mean. How can she say that when I'm in this state?" he muttered.

Melvin exchanged a knowing glance with him. "You didn't exactly treat her well, did you? And it looks like she's serious about moving on. You lost her. What a shame."

Ethan glared at him. "You're not helping."

"What did you do the last time I tried to help?" Melvin asked dryly. "Why are you pretending to be unconscious anyway?"

Ethan sighed. "I guess I don't even know how to face her. How did I end up here, tangled in this mess?"

Melvin raised a brow. "You tell me. Why did you jump in like that?"

Ethan hesitated, glancing down at his bandaged arm. "I didn't want her to get hurt. I just I realized I loved her, and I couldn't stand the thought of seeing her hurt or losing her."

Melvin laughed. "Well, if you really love her, you'd better figure out a way to tell her. Before she actually goes through with this 'moving on' plan."

Ethan nodded, a wry smile forming. "Yeah. I have to come up with a plan. For now, though I'm starving. And I need some water."

With a chuckle, Melvin opened the food pack and handed it over. Ethan dug in gratefully with his good arm, savoring each bite.

His enjoyment was cut short as the door swung open, and Rayna, who had returned for her phone, stepped back in with Evelyn, Derek, Sarah, and Ella.

Ethan froze with his spoonful of oatmeal midair as Rayna paused, her eyes widening as she spotted him, very much awake and eating.

"Uh-oh!" Derek exclaimed with a chuckle, giving Evelyn an "I told you so" look.