Her Final Breath Was a Curse

Ami wakes up to the faint sound of soft beeping. Her eyelids flutter open, and everything feels too white, too still. The sharp scent of antiseptic floats through the air, and a cool breeze slips through the half-open hospital window. For a moment, she's disoriented.

Then she sees him.

Dio is sitting in the chair beside her bed, head tilted awkwardly against the wall, dozing off. His shirt is rumpled, his hair messier than usual, and there's a stubborn crease between his brows even while asleep.

Ami blinks slowly.

I did it, she thinks. He's alive.

Her heartbeat calms as the weight lifts from her chest. It isn't just relief. It's confirmation. Fate can change. Her memories of the previous timeline no longer feel like an unavoidable curse. She altered the outcome. She changed his fate.

Then maybe... just maybe, I can change mine too.

She shifts slightly. The sound rouses Dio. His eyes open in an instant, and when he sees her awake, a flood of emotion crosses his face.

"Ami... you're awake!" He leans forward, gently placing his hand over hers. "Thank God. Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

Ami gives him a soft smile. "I'm okay, Dio. Just a little dizzy."

"You had us all panicking, you know? I almost broke down in the hallway!" Dio says, attempting a half-joke, but the crack in his voice betrays how serious he was.

Ami looks at him for a moment before replying. "But you're safe. That's all that matters."

Dio swallows. He doesn't ask why she did it. He doesn't need to.

Instead, he whispers, "Thank you for saving me."

They sit in silence for a while. Outside, birds chirp faintly, and the sun bathes the room in a warm glow. The hum of life continues beyond the window, but inside, time slows down between the two of them.

A nurse enters quietly to check Ami's vitals. Dio stands and steps aside, his eyes never leaving her. After the nurse finishes and leaves, he pulls his chair closer.

"Your family sent a butler to handle the hospital bill," he says, his tone guarded.

Ami nods slowly. "Figures."

Dio hesitates. "They didn't visit."

"I didn't expect them to," she says with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

Dio frowns. "Ami, they should be here. You almost..."

She shakes her head, cutting him off gently. "Don't say it. I'm here now. That's enough."

There's something about the way she speaks---calm, composed, almost too composed. Dio notices, but doesn't push her. Not yet.

He clears his throat. "So, um... do you remember what happened?"

Ami stays quite.

He studies her face, trying to understand her composure. "Why are you always pretending like everything's fine?"

Ami turns her head slowly to look at him, her eyes warm but distant. "Because sometimes pretending is the only way to stay sane."

He has no reply to that.

After a long pause, Dio leans back, raking a hand through his hair.

"Want me to bring anything for you? Food? Water? A stuffed animal?"

"Maybe just... stay here a bit longer," Ami whispers.

Dio settles back in his chair, smiling softly. "Of course. As long as you need"

[ Hospital Room – Later in the Day]

Soha enters, rushing with a worried face, hair a little messy, clearly coming straight from school. Saad trails behind, carrying a small bag of grapes and juice boxes.

Soha:

"AMI! Oh my god, you're awake!"

She rushes to her bedside, almost tripping. Ami gives a soft smile.

Ami:

"Soha... hey, don't cry. I'm still breathing."

Soha:

"Don't joke like that! I was literally losing it. You had blood on your face !"

Saad (gently):

"You really freaked everyone out, you know. The whole school was buzzing."

Ami (nodding):

"Sorry. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."

Soha:

"Are you stupid?! That wasn't trouble, that was brave. You saved Dio in front of everyone."

Ami (softly):

"I had to. I just… knew I had to do something."

The hospital room door creaks open. Alia walks in slowly, holding a small bouquet of flowers. Her makeup is light, clothes elegant--playing the perfect concerned sister.

Alia:

"Ami… thank God you're okay. I came as soon as I heard."

Ami's expression shifts for a second---surprise, then neutrality. She pastes on a sweet smile.

Ami (in her sugary tone): "Alia? Aww, that's so sweet of you. Did you miss me?"

Soha crosses her arms beside Ami, not buying it for a second.

Alia (placing flowers by the table):

"Of course I did. I was really worried... I even skipped my study group to come here."

She turns to Dio, who is sitting silently by Ami's side, watching everything like a silent guard dog.

Alia:

"Dio, right? Ami talks about you a lot. You've been here since the accident?"

Dio (calmly):

"Yeah. Couldn't leave."

Alia (smiling):

"That's so noble of you... her smile a little too practiced. "You must be exhausted too, Dio. Why don't we go get some fruit or juice for Ami? Something refreshing. I saw a place nearby."

Dio looks at Ami. She nods slightly, trying not to laugh.

Ami's POV:

"Ah. So she's trying that angle now, huh? Too bad Dio's not a fool."

Dio hesitates.

Ami just nods lightly. "Go. I'm not running anywhere."

He finally gets up. As he steps out with Alia, Saad leans against the window.

"That sister of yours," he mutters.

Soha arches a brow. "You know her?"

Saad shrugs.

"We were in the same student council orientation last year. She bit someone's head off for accidentally bumping into her."

Soha makes a face. "Damn..."

Back outside, Alia walks beside Dio, her voice light.

"You know, it's strange. Ami used to be so... quiet. She barely made eye contact with anyone. But now she's so close to you."

Dio keeps walking. "Yeah. People change."

"I guess," Alia says, tilting her head. "Sometimes it feels like she's a totally different person."

Dio looks at her, his voice calm but clear. "Whatever change she made, it made her stronger."

Alia's smile falters for a second.

"She's lucky to have someone like you around," she adds sweetly.

"I think I'm the lucky one," Dio replies, without missing a beat.

Alia hides her reaction with a smile. But as she turns forward again, her expression tightens.

Alia's POV:

So this is how it is now? Everyone hovering around her like she's some kind of saint?

She clutches her bag tighter.

If Ami thinks she can have everything, she better be ready to lose something too.

To be continued...