Arizona carried Diana gently to the guest room and placed her small figure onto the sheets.She stood there for a while watching her steady breathing making sure everything was fine.

Once Diana was asleep, Arizona moved quietly to a corner of the room and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled up lazily as Arizona stared out the window at the darkened city, her mind racing with thoughts of the day’s events and the uncertainties that lay ahead.

She took a deep drag, the nicotine offering a fleeting calm. There was a lot to consider: ensuring Ethan’s recovery, managing Diana’s care, and navigating the delicate situation with her own family and the dock’s environment.

Arizona exhaled, feeling the weight of Diana's words. Ethan had been only twenty-five when his world changed, forced to abandon his dreams to care for his sister. Now, at thirty, his body and spirit bore the scars of those sacrifices.

Arizona exhaled slowly “We’ll get through this,” she murmured to herself. “One step at a time,darling.”

She didn't sleep that night.She felt her body weak and her soul heavy with burden.Instead she stood still wathcing Ethan.His breath was steady but the fever was still lingering.
She placed her slender fingers on his forehead caressing his hair and feeling the sharp edges of the cut across his forehead.She moved slighlty from the chair onto the bed quietly not to disturb him and started to take în every detail of his bruised face.

The dim light cast shadows over Ethan’s features, highlighting the deep cuts and purple bruises that marred his once strong face. Arizona’s heart ached at the sight. She traced the lines of his jaw gently, her touch light and careful.

"Why did it have to come to this?" she whispered, more to herself than to him.

Ethan stirred slightly, his brow furrowing as if in response to her voice. She quickly pulled her hand back.
After a while she approached cautiously, leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, her lips lingering for a moment as if to transfer some of her strength to him.

Arizona sat there for hours, watching over him, lost in her thoughts, taking breaks to check his fever. Each time she checked, she prayed it would be lower, but it remained stubbornly high. She wet a cloth with cool water and gently dabbed his forehead, hoping to bring some relief.

As dawn began to break, the first light of morning seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Arizona felt the exhaustion of the night weigh heavily on her, but she remained vigilant, unwilling to leave Ethan’s side.

Suddenly, Ethan’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. He tried to speak, but his voice was weak, barely a whisper
"Where am I?Where is Diana?"
Arizona got up quickly and tried to say as little words as possible to explain everything.
"You are at my place.Diana is here too.It was all so sudden I didn't know what else to do."
"What?"
Ethan regained his composure and tried to lift himself up as he grunted from pain.
"Why here? We should’ve stayed at home."

Arizona placed a gentle hand on his arm, trying to keep him from straining himself further. "Diana helped me bringing you. We managed to get you here, and a doctor has seen you. You have a fever from an infection, but we’re taking care of it."

"I need to go to work.What time is it?"
"Oh..."Arizona shifted not knowing how to break the news to him
"My father won't get back a man who can't work."
"But I can work"he shouted while trying  desperatly to regain his balance

"Ethan, please," Arizona pleaded, her hands steadying him. "You're in no condition to work. You need to rest and heal"

Ethan's anger flared again, frustration evident in every movement. "You don't understand,silly girl. If I don't work, we don't live. Diana and I... we have nothing without my job."

"No,you do not understand me" she shouted losing her temper for a brief moment "My father most likely already fired you.You are a liability for him.This is a responsability he took when he chose to make you an exemple.You have no work,but I can help you with everything."

"I will not get a single dirty money from Lacks' family from that monster and Diana will not live this life."

Arizona’s tone was steely, though her anger was palpable

"Not a single cent of mine is my father's.He gives me money because I work for him not because I am his daughter,just any other worker in that docks"

Ethan’s voice was hoarse and strained. "How can I trust you after everything your father did to me? It’s hard to accept help from someone connected to him."

Arizona took a deep breath, trying to control her own rising anger. "I get that it’s difficult. I know my family has hurt you. But I am not my father. I am offering this help because I care about you and Diana."

Ethan looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and skepticism. "I just can’t see how accepting help from you would be any different from accepting it from him."

Arizona’s expression softened slightly. "Because it’s not about my father. If you refuse my help, you’re only hurting yourself and Diana. I’m trying to fix things, not make them worse."

Ethan’s face was a mask of conflict. The anger in his eyes was slowly giving way to exhaustion and despair. "I just... I don’t want to owe anything to the Lacks family. I want to be able to provide for Diana on my own."

Arizona reached out, her hand gently resting on his arm. "You’re not owing anything to my father. You’re accepting help from me without being in debt for anything. If that means getting you better so you can continue supporting Diana, then let’s focus on that. We’ll find a way to make this work without compromising your principles.You will stay here as long as you need to get back on your feet and then you are free to go."

"Fine"he sighed letting himself fall on the soft pillows "Is Diana well?"
"Yes,she is sleeping in the guest room."
"Did she take her pills?"
"No,but Dr Lee will come any time to check on both of you.He will provide her a better treatment."
"Who is Dr Lee?"
"The man who took care of you last night.He is my personal doctor,a friend of my mother's.I can call him when I need him."

Ethan’s gaze lingered on Arizona, the tension in his body softening just slightly despite the pain. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, and it made his internal conflict even harder to navigate.

“Why are you really helping us?” Ethan asked, his voice strained but curious. “What’s in it for you?”

Arizona smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I guess I like to think that I’m more than just my father’s shadow. I want to make my own choices, to do something good despite the legacy I was handed.”

Ethan studied her face, struggling to reconcile his growing feelings with the anger and suspicion still simmering within him. “And you think this will somehow change that?”

Arizona shrugged slightly, her playful demeanor slipping away for a moment. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m just doing what feels right to me.”

Ethan’s expression softened as he grappled with his emotions. “I don’t know how to thank you properly. It’s hard to trust someone who’s part of the world that’s caused so much trouble.”

Arizona’s eyes sparkled as she replied, “Just focus on getting better. That’s all I need right now from you. "

As Ethan shifted through the sheets, Arizona’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She opened it to find Thatcher standing there, his face a mask of composure despite the early hour.

“Miss Lacks,” Thatcher said in a low voice, “I’ve come to inform you that I’ll be returning the trolley to the docks. It’s best if I do it now before it raises any suspicion.”

Arizona nodded, her expression serious. “Thank you, Thatcher. I appreciate your help. But before you go, there’s something I need you to do for me.”

Thatcher raised an eyebrow, waiting for her instructions.

“I want you to go to my father and tell him that I don’t want to see him,” Arizona said firmly. “I’m upset with him for what happened yesterday, and I need some space. I’m planning to take a trip to Paris to clear my mind.”

Thatcher’s gaze softened with understanding. “I’ll deliver your message. I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling this way, but I understand the need for distance.”

As Thatcher prepared to leave, Arizona stopped him at the door. Her face was set with a mixture of resolve and vulnerability.

“Thatcher, there’s something else,” she said quietly. “I need you to know that my trip to Paris is just a cover. I’m not actually going.... I need to stay here with Ethan and Diana.”

Thatcher’s expression shifted from professional concern to understanding. “I know,Arizona. Do you want me to handle the situation with your father as if you’re truly gone?”

“Yes, please,” Arizona nodded. “Make sure he believes it. I need him to stay away for now. There’s too much at stake here, and I need to focus on helping Ethan and Diana.”

Thatcher regarded her for a moment, then nodded. “Understood. I’ll make sure the message is delivered convincingly.”

“Thank you, Thatcher,” Arizona said, her voice tinged with gratitude. “I appreciate your help in this.”

With a final nod, Thatcher left to carry out his task and shouted form the hallway.

"Dr.Lee is downstairs.I will see him in."

Dr. Lee entered the room with a calm, professional demeanor. He greeted Arizona with a nod before turning his attention to Ethan, who was still lying in bed, trying to remain as still as possible despite his discomfort.

“Good morning, Mr. Lacks,” Dr. Lee said as he approached Ethan’s bedside. He began his examination, his hands skilled and gentle as he checked Ethan’s vitals and assessed his condition.

“How are you feeling?” Dr. Lee asked, his tone both empathetic and clinical.

Ethan’s face tightened“I’m in pain, but more worried about Diana. How is she?”

Dr. Lee finished his examination, taking a moment to review his notes. “You have a fever due to an infection, but we’ll address that with antibiotics and painkillers. As for Diana, let’s see to her now.”

With that, Dr. Lee moved to the guest room where Diana lay sleeping. Arizona followed closely behind, ready to brief the doctor on Diana’s condition.

When they entered, Dr. Lee began his examination of Diana, noting her steady but shallow breathing. Arizona stood by, her anxiety evident as she watched him work.

“Diana has epilepsy,” Arizona explained. “She’s had seizures occasionally, and her medication schedule has been disrupted due to the recent events.”

“Diana’s epilepsy requires careful management,” Dr. Lee began. “Given her recent stress and disrupted medication, we need to stabilize her quickly to prevent further seizures.”

Arizona nodded, listening intently. “What do you suggest?”

Dr. Lee continued, “I’m recommending a combination of treatments. First, we’ll restart her primary antiepileptic medication. We’ll also add meds to help with mood stabilization and reduce the frequency of seizures.”

Arizona looked relieved. “Thank you, Dr. Lee. I’ll make sure she gets the medication and any additional care she requires.”

Dr. Lee offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll check back later to ensure everything is progressing as it should.”

As Dr. Lee left to prepare the prescriptions, Arizona felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She turned back to Ethan, who was watching her with a mixture of gratitude and lingering frustration.

“We’ll get through this,” Arizona said softly.”

Ethan’s expression softened slightly, but his eyes still held a hint of doubt. “Thank you. For everything.”