JASMINE
I stood in front of the mirror in my room, adjusting the crutches under my arms with a grimace.
The neck brace was still on, stiff and uncomfortable, but the doctor had finally allowed me to go back to school with restrictions.
My leg still ached from the fall, and every step reminded me how fragile my body and my place in this world truly were.
"Ready?" Stephan asked from the doorway, his voice gentle but guarded. He had been like this since the hospital, caring, protective, but distant. The trust between us was still healing, fragile as glass.
I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes. I need to see someone about an investment opportunity for the project I had worked on. It might help with my grades too."
He watched me for a moment, then stepped closer and helped adjust the strap on one crutch. His fingers brushed my arm, lingering a second longer than necessary.
