Connor’s hands shook as he fumbled with his phone, desperately dialing 911. His voice trembled as he explained what had happened, his words a frantic plea for help. The operator assured him that an ambulance was on the way, but it felt like an eternity as he fell to his knees beside Wren.

His heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of terror as he grabbed a another rag and tied it tightly around her arm, trying to staunch the flow of blood. Wren’s body was almost lifeless in his arms, her skin cold and clammy. He rocked her gently, tears streaming down his face, his sobs echoing in the small bathroom.

“Why?” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Why did you do it, Sunshine? Why do you hide so much and deal with the pain on your own?”

The minutes crawled by, each second agonizing as Connor held Wren close, praying for the sound of sirens. When they finally arrived, he could barely see through the tears blurring his vision. The paramedics moved quickly, lifting Wren onto a stretcher, their faces grim but focused.

Connor followed them to the hospital, his mind numb with fear and disbelief.

The emergency room was a blur of activity as doctors and nurses swarmed around Wren. One of the doctors, a woman with a calm demeanor, turned to Connor. “What happened to the patient?”

“I found her in the bathroom,” Connor said, his voice raw with emotion. “Her arm… it was slit open.”

“Does she have a history of self-harm?” the doctor asked, her tone clinical but not unkind.

Connor shook his head, his voice dropping to a whisper. “No, not that I know of, doctor. She… she was raped, and she’s been having a hard time coping.”

The doctor’s expression softened. “I see… We’ll do the best we can. First, we need to get her arm stitched up, and she’ll need a blood transfusion.”

Connor didn’t hesitate. “I can give her mine. Please, save her at any cost!”

The doctor offered a comforting smile. “We’ll do everything we can. Don’t worry. Follow the nurse to see if your blood is a match.”

Connor nodded, his throat tight with fear and hope. He was led away by a nurse, his thoughts consumed by Wren. He couldn’t lose her—not now, not ever. His blood matched, and he was quick to offer it, desperate to do anything to save her.

While the doctor worked on stitching up Wren’s arm and administering the transfusion, Connor waited outside, every minute feeling like a lifetime. He couldn’t stop picturing her pale, lifeless body on the bathroom floor, the blood pooling around her. His heart ached with the memory, the fear still gripping him.

Nearly an hour passed before the doctor finally emerged, her face calm but tired. “Everything is fine now, sir,” she said, her voice soothing. “She’s very weak and resting, but she’s stable.”

Connor’s knees nearly gave out as relief flooded through him. “Oh… thank you. Thank you so much.”

The doctor nodded, her expression serious. “I’ve prescribed some depression medication, but she needs to follow up with a psychiatrist for further help. This isn’t something she can face alone.”

“We will, doctor. We’ll do everything you say,” Connor vowed, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Thank you again, for saving her.”

The doctor smiled softly. “It’s my job. Now, go see her. She needs you.”

Connor didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed into Wren’s room, his heart still pounding with fear and relief. She looked so small in the hospital bed, her face pale and her eyes closed. He sat beside her, wrapping her delicate hand in his, and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Thank goodness you’re okay,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “I can’t live without you.”

As if in response, Wren’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze focusing on the white ceiling above her. For a moment, she looked disoriented, her thoughts sluggish as she tried to piece together what had happened. Where am I? Did I die? The thought was fleeting, replaced by the dull ache in her arm and the sensation of something warm holding her hand.

She turned her head, her gaze landing on the top of Connor’s head as he lay beside her, his face buried in the blanket. It took her a moment to realize where she was, the sterile smell of the hospital room finally registering.

Connor must have saved me, she thought, a wave of guilt washing over her. Why? He should have let me die. I’ll just pull him down.

She felt a dry scratch in her throat, the need for water becoming urgent. She tried to sit up, but the movement woke Connor. His eyes were wide with concern as he saw her stirring.

“Sunshine, you’re awake,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled her into a gentle hug, his relief palpable. “Thank goodness my prayers were answered. You’re safe.”

Wren watched as a single tear escaped Connor’s eye, rolling down his cheek. Without thinking, she reached up with her uninjured hand and wiped the tear away, her touch soft and tentative.

“Don’t cry,” she whispered, her voice raspy.

Connor shook his head, his emotions overwhelming him. “You don’t know how scared I was. I thought I lost you.”

“I’m still here,” she replied, though the words felt hollow.

Connor’s grip on her tightened, his voice breaking. “My heart stopped when I saw you on the bathroom floor. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.”

Wren was taken aback by his words, the depth of his love and fear catching her off guard. “Why do you love me so much? You’d be better off without me in your life.”

“Don’t you ever say that again,” Connor snapped, his voice fierce with anger and pain.

She flinched at his tone, realizing she had upset him. “I’m sorry.”

Connor took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “I just love you, Wren. I love everything about you, imperfections and all. So please don’t say such things. I’ll get mad at you.”

“Okay,” Wren agreed, her voice small. “I won’t say it again. I just… I can’t fully accept that someone could love someone broken and used like me.”

Connor’s eyes softened, his anger fading into something gentler. “Sunshine, get used to it because I do—wholeheartedly. I love you.”

Wren stared at him, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt or deceit, but all she saw was a mixture of hurt and unwavering love. It was hard to believe that someone like him could truly love her, but his actions and the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t lying.

“Why did you do it?” Connor asked softly, his voice filled with sorrow and confusion.