He didn’t respond immediately, as if searching for the right words. “For being here,” he finally said, his sincerity undeniable.

Tears pooled in Emily’s eyes again, but this time they were tears of relief and unexpected joy. “I didn’t think you’d ever wake up,” she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander’s fingers squeezed hers gently. “Neither did I,” he said with a hint of a smile.

The room fell into a comfortable silence. Emily knew she should alert the doctors and inform his family, but for a moment, she just wanted to stay there, holding onto this fragile thread of connection and hope.