*CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO* The hospital felt heavy as they walked out, a strange quietness hanging between them. Tamar supported Manda carefully, one arm wrapped around her shoulders, feeling how fragile and small she was. Blake walked just behind, carrying the bag of hospital discharge papers, medications, and instructions. Elian trailed beside them, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, his eyes thoughtful. The ride home was almost completely silent. Tamar sat in the back with Manda, cradling her softly, feeling the weight of exhaustion seep deep into her bones. Blake sat in the front, staring out the window, eyes distant. Elian drove, hands steady on the wheel, the soft sound of instrumental music playing from the car speakers. When they finally got back to Tamar's apartment, the air inside felt stale and cold, but the house was clean, as if nothing had happened. Blake had come to clean the house, wiping the blood, which had turned dry, off the rug and carpet. Tamar eased Manda onto the couch, draping a blanket over her. Manda curled up, her face pale, eyes already drooping closed. Blake kicked off his shoes and sank heavily onto the other end of the couch, letting out a long, tired breath. "You guys can rest," Elian said softly, glancing around the kitchen. "I'll take care of dinner." Tamar blinked at him, startled. "You don't have to, Elian. You're probably as tired as we are." Elian gave her a small, warm smile. "I don't mind. Besides, you guys need to rest more than I do." Tamar hesitated, wanting to argue, but the weariness in her limbs won. She just gave him a grateful look. "Thank you." Elian nodded, rolling up his sleeves. He opened the fridge, then the cabinets, frowning slightly. "Hmm. Looks like you’re running pretty low on groceries." Tamar winced. "Yeah. Things have been a bit... chaotic." Elian chuckled softly. "I’ll run to the store, then. Get some essentials, and cook something simple." Before Tamar could protest, he grabbed his coat and keys, slipping out the door. _ The apartment was quiet, save for the soft breathing of the two people asleep on the couch. Tamar sat for a moment, watching them. Manda’s thin face was peaceful for once, her chest rising and falling slowly. Blake had curled into himself, knees tucked up, his arms folded like a child, a deep frown etched on his sleeping face even in rest. Tamar sighed, feeling the tension in her chest loosen slightly. She slipped into her bedroom, changing into a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, then sank onto the edge of her bed, burying her face in her hands. She was so tired. Tired of worrying, tired of fighting, tired of holding everything together. She didn’t even realize she’d dozed off until the aroma of cooking drifted into her dreams. For a moment, she thought she was back in her childhood home, the smell of her mother’s cooking filling the air, the soft clatter of pots and pans, the sound of humming. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, disoriented. It took a few moments for her to realize where she was, to remember everything. But the smell was real, wafting through the small apartment, and so was the soft humming. Tamar slipped out of her room quietly, padding barefoot down the short hallway. She peeked into the kitchen. Elian stood there, his sleeves still rolled up, a dish towel slung over his shoulder. He moved with quiet confidence, stirring something on the stove, his face relaxed, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he hummed softly under his breath. For a moment, Tamar just stood there, watching. Something strange stirred in her chest, something warm and unfamiliar. She felt her throat tighten, her eyes stinging. She rubbed at her face quickly, scolding herself inwardly. _Don’t be stupid, Tamar. Don’t start dreaming. He’s too good, too pure. You don’t deserve something like that._ She took a quiet step back, meaning to slip away unnoticed. "You can come in, you know," Elian said without turning around. Tamar jumped slightly, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to spy." Elian chuckled softly. "You weren’t spying. You were just… curious." She moved into the kitchen slowly, glancing at the simmering pot on the stove. "What are you making?" "A simple stew," Elian said, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. "Didn’t want to make anything too heavy since everyone’s tired. And I got some fresh bread from the bakery." Tamar smiled faintly, leaning against the counter. "You really didn’t have to do all this." Elian shrugged lightly. "I wanted to. It’s been a rough few days. You all deserve something warm and comforting." She watched him work, feeling that strange tightness in her chest again. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to push it down. "You’re... really kind, you know that?" she murmured quietly. Elian glanced at her, his expression softening. "Kindness isn’t a special gift, Tamar. It’s just... seeing people and not turning away." Tamar looked down, her throat thick. "Most people turn away." Elian was quiet for a moment, stirring the pot gently. "Maybe. But you haven’t. Not from Manda. Not from Blake. Not even from yourself, even when it’s hard." Tamar let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly. "I don’t know why you think so highly of me. I’m a mess, Elian. I’m... so broken." Elian turned off the stove, setting the ladle down carefully. He faced her fully now, his eyes calm and steady. "Tamar," he said quietly, "we’re all broken. Every one of us. Me, you, Manda, Blake. It’s not about being perfect or unscarred. It’s about showing up. About letting God meet us in that broken place." Tamar felt tears pricking at her eyes again, and she quickly swiped at them, letting out a shaky laugh. "I really don’t deserve to have someone like you in my life." Elian took a small step closer, his voice gentle. "You don’t have to deserve love, Tamar. That’s the whole point." She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. Instead, she just stood there, her chest tight, her heart pounding strangely. The sound of stirring on the couch broke the moment. Tamar glanced toward the living room and saw Manda shifting slightly, her eyes slowly opening. Blake mumbled something in his sleep, curling up tighter. Tamar let out a small breath, forcing herself to step back. "I should check on them," she murmured. Elian gave her a small, knowing smile. "Go ahead. I’ll finish up here." Tamar slipped out quickly, her heart still racing, her mind a jumbled mess. As she gently tucked the blanket tighter around Manda and smoothed Blake's hair back from his forehead, she tried to push away the feelings stirring inside her. _He’s too pure for you,_ she told herself firmly. _You don’t get to have something that good, something that safe._ She took in a deep breath and settled beside Manda, falling back into her dream. …