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Stephen's heart raced as he cradled Delilah's hand, a stark contrast between his calloused fingers and her fragile ones. The dim hospital room emphasized the severity of her injuries, each cut on her face telling a story of the accident that had brought them here.

His mind flashed back to the moments leading up to this. Stephen's world had momentarily shattered with the impact, but now, as he focused on her healing form, hope flickered within him.

The room felt sterile, the antiseptic scent mingling with the tension in the air. The machines hummed softly, tracking Delilah's vital signs, a constant reminder of the fragility of life. Stephen, however, was oblivious to everything but the woman before him.

As he traced the contours of her face, memories of happier times flooded his mind – the laughter shared, the whispered confessions in the dark. Delilah, once vibrant, now lay still, a mere shell of her former self. Yet, the inexplicable power of their mate bond seemed to weave a restora