Hailey’s POV
A while later, everything felt lighter in a way I hadn’t thought was possible anymore.
Ryan’s treatment pulled through. Not in some miraculous, movie-perfect way, but enough to bring him back to himself. The hollow look in his eyes faded. His steps were steady again. His laugh—real, full, annoying—echoed through the house like it used to. His body had filled out, muscle returning, posture straight, confidence sliding back onto him like second skin.
He was alive again.
I lingered by the doorway, arms folded loosely across my chest, watching him and Roy wrestle in the living room. It was loud, messy, and completely unnecessary. Ryan locked Roy in a headlock, grinning like he’d won a championship already. Roy cursed and shoved back, using his weight to throw them both off bal
