In the corner of the ward, Zain's laptop lay open on a small table, with piles of files scattered around. 'Zhen' had effectively moved his entire office into this hospital room. On one hand, he was making critical business decisions, and on the other, his gaze repeatedly fell, every two minutes, on Aanya's oxygen mask and heart rate monitor.
Care and Affection
Zain's appearance had changed significantly over these three days. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, and his beard had grown, yet his tenderness toward Aanya had increased far beyond before.
Combing her hair: With utmost care, Zain picked up a silky comb. He gently untangled her hair from her shoulders, taking care not to disturb the bandage on her head. His hands moved as softly as if touching the petals of a flower. He tucked her hair behind her ear, making sure that when she awoke, she would not feel the tangles or discomfort.
Medicine and sponge bath: Pushing the nurses aside, Zain personally brought a bowl of warm water. With a clean cloth, he wiped her hands and feet, giving her a sense of freshness. He applied her favorite lotion to her lifeless hands, its subtle fragrance slightly easing the tension of the room.
Silent Conversation
In the stillness of the night, when the entire world was asleep, Zain would hold Aanya's hand and talk to her. He told her about trivial matters, office gossip, repeatedly apologized for his mistakes, and reminded her gently that she would need to wake up.
Zain (whispering): "Seventy-two hours are almost over, Aanya."
Through the VIP ward window, the setting sun filtered in with its orange and crimson rays, bathing the room in a golden yet melancholic light. The constant 'beep-beep' of the machines pierced through the silence.
Zain had not slept for seventy-two hours. The buttons of his expensive Italian shirt were undone, deep fatigue marked his eyes, and his beard had grown longer. Today, the "Emperor of Shenzhen," forgetting his empire, sat by Aanya's bedside like an ordinary guardian.
Scene 1: Return to Consciousness
Aanya's eyelids fluttered slowly. It felt as though she were surfacing from a deep, icy sea. As soon as her eyes opened, the harsh sunlight stabbed at her vision. Trembling, she reached for her glasses lying on the table.
The moment the glasses settled on her eyes, the world came into focus. Yet, with clarity came a flood of pain.
"Ahh…" A faint groan escaped her dry lips. She tried to touch the bandage on her head. Her mind relived the terrifying noise of the airport and the smell of blood.
Zain, who had bent down to fetch water, froze upon hearing that sound. The glass slipped from his hands and shattered on the carpet. In the silence of the ward, the sound of breaking glass echoed like an explosion. But his attention was not on the glass; his eyes were fixed solely on Aanya, who had opened her eyes after a long seventy-two hours.
The stubble on Zain's face and the swollen fatigue around his eyes reflected the sacrifices of the past three nights. With unsteady steps, he moved toward the bed.
"Aanya…" His voice was heavy and hoarse. He reached her and tried to hold her trembling hand.
Scene: A Lifeless Touch
Aanya turned her eyes toward the vast crimson sun slowly merging with the horizon outside the window. The golden light filling the room cast a strange glow over her pale, weary face.
Aanya (in an extremely soft, almost dying voice): "Look, Zain… isn't the setting sun beautiful?"
Zain froze. There was no anger, no hatred in her voice—only an overwhelming emptiness. He gently enclosed her cold, fragile hand in his palms, as if trying to give her his warmth.
Zain (with moisture in his eyes): "Yes, Aanya… just like you. You are as beautiful and comforting as this light."
His voice was filled with love and devotion, yet Aanya's expression remained unchanged. She did not even turn her neck. When she felt Zain's touch, there was a slight movement in her fingers.
Aanya's Reaction (Action):
She very slowly, without any sudden motion, loosened her fingers from Zain's grasp. Her hands were so weak that she could not completely withdraw them, yet she put all her strength into moving her palm away from his touch. The gesture was natural, but to Zain, it felt like a dagger.
She did not respond to his words. She simply closed her eyes, as if she did not want to feel even the golden light in the room with Zain.
Zain's hand remained suspended in the air, empty. The "Emperor of Shenzhen," who had never bowed before anyone, now knelt helplessly before the silence of his own wife. Her calm and neutral demeanor inflicted more pain than any scream ever could.
Zain (thinking to himself): "She withdrew her hand, Aanya? Has my touch become so foreign to you now?"His hand froze in the air. He had hoped that Aanya, having returned from the brink of death, would forgive him—but the coldness in her voice pierced Zain's heart like a dagger.
Zain quickly composed himself and, with trembling hands, pulled out his phone. He dialed Kiyan.
Zain (in a heavy, sharp voice): "Kiyan! Get the doctors in here immediately. And inform everyone… Aanya has regained consciousness. Hurry!"
Within moments, the team of doctors entered the ward. Zain stepped aside, but his eyes never left Aanya's face. The doctor shone a light into her eyes, checked her pulse, and conducted a few reflex tests. Aanya was calm, her eyes carrying a vacancy deeper than any wound could inflict.
Chief Doctor: "Mr. Yan, regaining consciousness is a huge victory, but her reports are still not completely stable. Her body is extremely weak, and due to the head injury, she will require complete rest and peace for several weeks. Any stress at this stage could pose serious danger."
Zain (in a quiet voice): "Alright… I understand. I will ensure that no one disturbs her."
Outside the ward, the entire family stood holding their breath. As soon as the doctor stepped out and gestured, the room's door swung open.
First xuyan, Lu Feng—Aanya's mother—rushed in and hugged her daughter tightly. Her sobs shattered the stillness of the room. Lu Wei sat beside his sister, held her hand, and tears filled his eyes—his anger toward Zain melting instantly into pure parental love as he saw Aanya.
A faint, fragile smile appeared on Aanya's face at the sight of her family. Though weak, the touch of her loved ones brought her comfort.
At that moment, Huan Jing's steps faltered at the door. Her eyes were swollen, her entire body trembling. She felt incapable of facing Aanya. Her friend had returned from the jaws of death, and she blamed herself for what had happened.
Fengning, Zain's sister, noticed Jing's state. She acted wisely and held Jing's hand tightly.
Fengning: "Don't lose courage, Jing. She's your friend; she will never blame you. Come on…"
Supporting her, Fengning led Jing inside. Aanya looked at Jing with blurred eyes. The moment Jing met Aanya's gaze, she collapsed to her knees, clutching Aanya's hand and crying uncontrollably.
Huan Jing: "Aanya… please forgive me… because of me you—"
With her trembling fingers, Aanya wiped away Jing's tears. She said nothing, yet the gentle touch spoke volumes—it conveyed that forgiveness is not necessary when friendship is true.
Amid all the noise and reunion, Zain stood alone in the darkest corner of the room. He was the most powerful man in Shenzhen, yet at this moment, he felt completely outside the scene. Aanya smiled at everyone around her, but she did not once look in his direction.
The ward atmosphere suddenly turned tense. Lu Wei gripped Anya's hand tightly and said, "Anya, this is enough! You won't stay another moment under this man's shadow. I'm taking you home right now."
Zhen's face stiffened, his eyes burning with anger. "Lu Wei, she is my wife. She is going nowhere."
Scene: Anya's Unexpected Move
Before any scuffle could break out between Lu Wei and Zhen, Anya slowly raised her hand and gestured toward Zhen.
Anya: (weakly) "Zhen… please, come to me."
Zhen, who had been standing like a wall until now, melted at her plea. He stepped toward her bedside. Anya spread her trembling arms wide and hugged him in front of everyone. Every breath in the room seemed to freeze.
Anya: "Brother… mother… don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. I will stay with my husband… I trust Zhen to take care of me properly."
Zhen's entire body went numb. He couldn't believe that Anya, who had just moments ago called him a destroyer of happiness, was now publicly accepting him. He gently wrapped her in his arms, yet his heart skipped a beat, unable to read the secret hidden in her eyes.
Scene: Family's Reaction and Growing Suspicion
Huyan (Zhen's mother) and Lu Feng (Anya's mother) both shed tears of joy. They felt that this incident had brought the two closer. Zhen's father, Zhenyu, also exhaled in relief, believing that his son's fractured household had been saved.
But not everyone was pleased.
Huan Jing, who knew Anya best, felt something amiss. She noticed that when Anya hugged Zhen, her eyes behind his shoulder were cold and empty. The light of love that used to shine there was gone.
The same doubt rose in Qiyan's mind. As Zhen's right-hand man, he had closely witnessed the hatred between Zhen and Anya. He realized that Anya was orchestrating all this for a bigger purpose.
Anya (whispering into Zhen's ear):
"This is only for my family, Zhen… now you must perform the role of an 'ideal husband' in front of the world. I will make you taste the cage you put me in."
Zhen tightened his hold on her. He understood that Anya had not forgiven him, but had trapped him in a relationship where he would face her hatred every single moment—masked behind a smiling face.