Mina eventually drifted off to sleep without even realizing it. Somewhere between her plea for him not to disappear again and the quiet moments spent watching him breathe, her body surrendered to the exhaustion she had been fighting for days.
She lay on his chest, one small arm draped over him, her cheek pressed gently against his shirt as if claiming him as a pillow that was hers alone.
Her breathing became slow and steady, though occasionally her brows would furrow slightly, hinting that even in slumber, she feared something might change if she relaxed too much.
Sage remained still, allowing her to rest where she was. His arm rested loosely around her so she wouldn't slip away while he stared up at the ceiling as the day quietly transitioned into evening.
The sunlight that once streamed brightly through the tall windows had softened now, stretching into long golden beams that cast gentle shades of amber across the walls and floor.
