SMACK!!
The sound of the slap echoed sharply across the room, cutting through the silence with a force that seemed louder than it should have been. Elena's head turned with the impact, her body swaying slightly to the side, the sudden force of it breaking even the stillness she had been holding onto.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
The air itself seemed to tighten around them.
_________________________
Outside the room, Clara had just reached the door, the tray of soup balanced carefully in her hands. Her phone buzzed against her palm and she adjusted her grip before answering.
"Hello?"
"Clara," her father's voice came through, calm but urgent. "Alaric is waking up. Come quickly."
The words hit her instantly.
Relief washed over her so suddenly that she didn't even realize the smile that formed on her lips. The tension she had been carrying since last night eased just enough for her shoulders to drop.
