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The Forbidden Kiss
That morning, whispers spread through the hallways: the Reed family was considering disconnecting him. The doctors had begun to talk about “quality of life” and “tough decisions.”
The first rays of sunrise slipped through the blinds, bathing Alexander’s face in a soft, golden glow. Emma stepped closer, trembling.
Her hand brushed his cheek — cold, but alive.
Before she could stop herself, her lips touched his — a fleeting kiss, gentle and secret. A goodbye that no one would ever know.
Or so she thought.
The monitor beeped unevenly. Emma gasped.
“What… are you doing?” His voice was rough, heavy with years of silence.
“I… I’m sorry,” she stammered, her cheeks burning. “I thought you’d never—”
He slowly raised his hand, trying to sit up. His body trembled, but his gaze stayed fixed on her.
“Three years,” she whispered.
He looked at her for a long moment — not angry, not even confused, just… thoughtful. “And you’ve been here all that time.”
A faint smile curved his lips. “Then I think I owe you more than just a thank-you.”
Her head rested against his chest. The embrace was clumsy, tangled in wires and tears — but real.
For a moment, time stopped. She felt his heartbeat, uneven but strong — a rhythm she thought she’d never hear again.
The door burst open. Nurses rushed in, alarms beeping, voices rising. “He’s awake! Mr. Reed is awake!”
Emma stepped back, wiping her tears. But even as the doctors surrounded him, Alexander’s eyes never left hers.
“She…” he whispered, his voice faint but certain. “She brought me back.”
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