At that moment, Ste knew for sure. Joshua was truly awake.


    She shot to her feet and rushed to his side. "Joshua, when did you wake up?"


    His eyesnded on her face, noting the excitement and relief coloring her features.


    "I woke up just as you started painting the sun," he said, his voice a little hoarse.


    A flicker of guilt crossed her face. "I''m sorry, I was so lost in my painting."


    "Don''t be," Joshua said. "I wanted to watch you, so I didn''t say anything."


    Ste pressed the call button by the bed. "How are you feeling? Do you want some water?"


    "I''m okay. A ss of water would be good."


    Just as Ste finished helping him take a sip, a knock came at the door.


    Mr. Burton entered with his team. "So, this young man is finally awake?"


    Ste looked surprised. "Mr. Burton, how did you know?"


    He chuckled. "You haven''t pressed that call button once in all these days. When it suddenly rang, I figured he must have woken up."


    Mr. Burton stepped forward and began examining Joshua.


    "Well, his vitals are good, and there don''t seem to be any unusualplications. His internal injuries will just need time to heal. Now that he''s awake, as long as he follows the recovery n I''veid out, he should be ready for discharge in a month. But you can''t let your guard down during that time."


    Looking pointedly at Joshua, Mr. Burton added, "Young man, if it wasn''t for Star''s sake, I wouldn''t waste my time on someone who abuses his body like you do."


    Joshua lowered his gaze to mask his thoughts.


    "...I apologize for all the trouble." he murmured.


    "Don''t apologize to me," Mr. Burton said sternly. "When you don''t care about yourself, the people who care about you are the ones who suffer most. While you were unconscious, Ste barely got a decent night''s sleep. Any more of this, and she''ll end up with insomnia just like you. You can''t keep putting her through this worry."


    At those words, Joshua''s head snapped toward Ste. The intensity in his dark eyes made her heart skip a beat, and she quickly looked away turning her attention back to the doctor.


    "Mr. Burton, now that he''s awake, are there any special precautions we need to take?"


    Mr. Burton went over a list of


    instructions. Having studied


    under


    Hinafo a time, seke already


    understood most of it, which saved him the trouble of over-exining.


    "I won''t be leaving Solmaris until Joshua is discharged," Mr. Burton finished. "If


    anythinges up, contact me immediately."


    Ste was deeply moved. "Thank you, Mr. Burton."


    After the medical team left, the room fell quiet. Joshua was clearly exhausted from his ordeal but seemed to be fighting to stay awake.


    Noticing his fatigue, Ste said gently, "Joshua, you should get some more rest."


    He looked at her, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "You won''t leave?"


    "I won''t," she promised.


    A faint smile touched his lips, and he closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to rx.


    Watching his peaceful expression, Ste''s thoughts turned to Leonard Lerman. She walked over to the window and dialed Aicken''s number.


    "Israel Williams has had it too easy for too long. Release everything I sent you. It''s time to give him something to worry about."


    Aicken was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. "I''ll get right on it."


    ***


    Moments after Aicken released the information, Leonard''s assistant called him.


    "Mr. Lerman, should we try to suppress this?" the assistant asked.


    Leonard gazed out at the endless night and chuckled, a sound devoid of any real humor.


    "Her own brother has bullied her for so long, and she never lifted a finger. But the moment she finds out Israel tipped me off, she can''t even wait a single day to retaliate?"