Chapter 26: Hold you like this?

Melissa's eyelids fluttered in her sleep, her body gradually becoming aware of a comforting warmth cocooning her. Memories of plunging into the icy depths of the water flashed in her mind.

'Am I dead?' she wondered hazily. Her body still felt heavy, her strength drained, leaving her unable to open her eyes fully.

As her thoughts spiraled, she became aware of a soft, steady rhythm of breathing above her. It intrigued her to check. Slowly, she lifted her trembling hand, inching it upward until her fingertips grazed a face. The sensation startled her fully awake, her eyes snapping open.

"You!" she gasped in both disbelief and shock as she tilted her head up.

Melissa stopped blinking for a while. Sunlight filtered through the delicate curtains, bathing the chamber in a soft golden glow.