Seeing his struggle, Emily snapped into action. Her instincts as a nurse took over. She leaned forward, her face now a mask of professionalism despite the turmoil inside her. “Mr. Reed,” she said softly, “you’re in the hospital. You were in an accident, but you’re safe now.”

His eyes fixed on hers, a thousand questions swirling within them. Yet, her touch on his arm seemed to calm the storm inside him. He tried to speak again, his voice a whisper. “What… happened?”

“You were in a car crash,” Emily explained, maintaining her composure. “You’ve been unconscious for several months. But you’re awake now, and that’s what matters.”