Mercifully, no nightmares penetrated my exhausted sleep. But the exhaustion vanished when a hand gently touched my arm, jolting me awake. Mom's face swam in my vision, and when it came into focus, so did the face of the mermaid beside her. Ani looked pale and kept glancing between Mom and me. I blinked, and as I did, everything came flooding back.

Dr. Murphy easing Ani out of her coma, the sheer terror in Ani's eyes at the mere mention of me leaving her side, followed by the heartbreaking realization of why, the quiet conversation with Mom, and ending with the painful revelation we'd uncovered. That wasn't even considering the confrontation with Della and their mother—a conversation I had yet to reveal to Ani.

I locked eyes with Ani, swallowing hard. As she took my hand, I realized I was shaking. "What happened? I woke up and saw you passed out on the bed. When I asked your mom what happened, she said she didn't know. Are you okay?" Concern filled her voice, which nearly tempted me to lie.

But I couldn't—not about this. Ani deserved to know the truth, however startling. Even if I knew it would most likely end up worsening her already fragile emotional state. "Della was here." Though my voice was barely above a whisper, it seemed abnormally loud in the tense silence that had fallen over us.

Ani's reaction was equally concerning and frightening. She shrank back against the pillows, furiously shaking her head. "D-Don't let her hurt me!" Only I knew the real reason behind her response, and it hurt my heart to think about it.

I shook my head as I squeezed her hand. "I won't. But... She wasn't the only one who showed up unannounced." I looked down at my hand intertwined with hers, the contact giving me the strength to tell her everything. Even if I knew—without a doubt—it would create a massive setback in her emotional recovery.

Mom touched my back but didn't say a word. The words tumbled out in a rush as if the faster I spoke them, the more they would make sense. "Someone knocked on the door a while ago. I got up to answer it, figuring it was Mom coming back—only to be greeted by Della on the other side of the door. She immediately apologized, telling me how much she regretted what had happened between you two. When she heard about your injury, she rushed over here."

I paused, readying myself for the worst part of the whole conversation. Seeing it was hard enough—did I really have to relive it again for Ani's sake? But when I looked at her frightened and exhausted expression, I knew she would only hate me if I kept it from her. She'd been through so much already; she didn't need more to worry and stress about.

"That was when a new voice spoke up from behind Della. I didn't recognize it, but Della went rigid when she heard it. The mermaid used your and your sister's full names, immediately putting me on edge.

"I caught a quick glimpse of shiny platinum blonde hair and captivating ice-blue eyes peeking out from behind Della before I swam outside. I instinctively pushed Della behind me, leaving the door cracked. 'Who are you?' My voice was stern, my eyes flashing as I looked from Della to the mermaid before me. I was about to repeat myself when Della spoke, her voice barely a whisper. 'Mom?'" I instinctively reached for Ani as the last word left my mouth.

For a heartbeat, she didn't move. From how her hand shook as she took my own, I could tell she was barely keeping it together. But she didn't say a word.

"There was no doubt in my mind that the mermaid floating before Della was her mother. Della and her mother had striking ice-blue eyes, while you had inherited your mother's full lips. I peeked back into your room, relieved to find you asleep and grateful our voices hadn't woken you. Blistering anger surged through me as I spoke, my body trembling with the effort to contain it. 'My wife is currently recovering from an injury that your daughter—her sister—caused. Being in the hospital is certainly not the right time or place for a family reunion.'"

I let out a tense breath before continuing. "I kept my eyes on your mother the entire time I spoke, not daring to meet Della's pleading gaze. 'After the traumatic experience that Ani went through, it will ultimately be her decision as to whether she wants to re-establish contact with either of you. Her well-being and comfort should be the top priority in this situation.'"

I looked at Mom, but she just stared at me, her eyes wide. She was just as shocked about the sudden and unexpected turn of events as I was. "'I can't do this right now. I don't need this. Ani doesn't need this. If both of you genuinely love and care for her, you will leave and allow her the time and space she needs to heal from such a traumatic event. When and if she decides to re-establish contact is entirely up to her.'"

When I looked at Ani, tears were streaming down her cheeks. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and protect her from anything that would harm her. But I had to finish. "A tense silence fell over us before Della nodded. Your mother glanced between me and Della before following suit. 'Of course. Whatever is best for Adriana.'"

We all flinched at Ani's full name. "Your mother left first, casting a longing glance in Della's direction. Della was last, her gaze pleading as she swam toward me. 'Drew, please. You have to understand—I had no part in her showing up here. Before today, I wasn't even sure she was still alive. After Caspian, I left home entirely.'"

Ani was trembling. I locked eyes with her, sending her as much strength and love as possible. "'I meant what I said, Della. Ani doesn't need this right now. If you ever genuinely cared for her, you'll leave and allow her the time and space she needs to heal.'"

A soft knock on the door broke the tension hovering in the water. Mom glanced between Ani and me before swimming to the door and opening it. When Mom let out a sound that was half-gasp, half-sob, Ani and I both looked at each other in alarm. Without a word passing between us, I knew my thoughts mirrored her own: could Della or their mother have returned?

Despite the exhaustion coursing through me, I managed to rise from where I'd passed out on the bed and sink into the chair beside Ani's bed. She reached for my hand, clutching it tightly. When Mom reappeared with Waverly in tow, I sagged in relief. But as I looked back at Ani, I noticed the exhaustion in her posture and expression despite the relief lighting up her eyes.

Even if she didn't want to, I knew that she needed to sleep—if only for the sake of her recovery. I saw the haunted look in her eyes, and it broke my heart. I hated that she had finally reconnected with two family members, only to have been dealt such a crushing blow in the wake of the reunion. I took her hand and rubbed my thumb over the top of it. "It's okay to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

She glanced at Mom and Waverly, but both gave her warm, reassuring smiles. I saw the exhaustion and worry in their gazes despite the smiles on their faces. I saw Ani's eyelids drift closed and felt her grip on my hand loosen. As soon as I was sure she was asleep, I beckoned Mom and Waverly closer.

My eyes immediately locked on Waverly's face. She gave me the same smile she'd given Ani, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Are you okay? Should you be out of bed?" Though my voice was barely a whisper, the words tumbled out of my mouth, one after another. Truthfully, she looked as though a playful shove could knock her over.

She nodded, but she looked so gaunt and pale. "I'm okay. Really. Dr. Murphy said I could be released today if I take it easy for the next few weeks. She and the other doctors told me I was lucky not to be paralyzed and that I would most likely have some pain in my back near the site of the injury for the rest of my life. The recovery process will be long and daunting, but I'm alive. I wish the same could have been said for..."

She trailed off as she looked down, tears sliding down her cheeks as she let her unspoken words linger in the water. "I miss her so much," she cried, the grief in her words breaking my heart in half all over again. She hadn't mentioned a name, but it wouldn't have mattered; we all knew who she was talking about. "I hate how we left things. I wish I could tell her how sorry I am and that I didn't mean anything I said. She died thinking that I... that I..."

Mom pulled Waverly into her arms, stroking her hair. It took the latter several minutes to regain her composure. She suddenly broke apart from Mom, turning a heartbeat before the barely audible knock sounded on the door. Mom and I glanced at one another, but she shrugged. Remembering the rude awakening with Della and Thalassa, I tensed as my hands clenched into fists. We collectively sagged in relief when the soft, feminine voice floated toward us. "Waverly? Honey, are you okay?"

I was at the door in a flash, quickly beckoning Laguna inside. I studied her out of the corner of my eye as she swam inside: the dark circles under her eyes were stark against her pale complexion, and her eyes were red-rimmed as if she'd been crying. She let out a sob as she lurched toward her daughter, flinging her arms around Waverly. I instinctively swam to Mom's side and wrapped an arm around her.

Everyone in this room had lost—or come so close to losing—so much over the past two years. I would do everything possible to ensure we didn't lose anyone else. I cleared my throat, dreading what I had to say but knowing it was best to get it out in the open. "Just because Ross hasn't been seen since the attack does not mean he's out of the picture: in fact, I'd be willing to bet that he's lying in wait to attack Ani again, and this time, make it permanent.

"We need to be vigilant. We cannot let our guard down. Ross is clearly unstable, and we cannot know when or how he'll attack next." The note flashed through my mind, clear as day, eliciting a shudder from my spine. 'I know what your family was. And I know who you are, Drew Ryan Mercer. The son of a murderer. I am the only one with this information, but I can do much damage with it if prompted. Imagine what would happen if Ani were to find out. She would leave you. And you would be all alone. Just as you should have been all along.'

I blinked, bringing myself back to the present. Everyone's eyes were on me. "We can't lose anyone else. Ani's recovery will be long and arduous, but we must do everything possible to ensure it goes smoothly."

I turned to Waverly, unable to keep the guilt out of my voice when I spoke. "You are one of my oldest friends, and I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help you when you needed it. But Ani is going to need someone by her side when she gets out of the hospital, and I was thinking... How do you feel about becoming her lady-in-waiting?"

Waverly's response was instantaneous. "Drew... I would be honored. But are you sure?"

I nodded. "I can't think of a better mermaid I'd want by her side." I took a breath to continue, but a soft knock on the door drew everyone's attention away from me. Mom rose to answer it, but I shook my head. I swam to the door and opened it, revealing Dr. Murphy.

She glanced at everyone but didn't seem surprised to see Waverly and Laguna. "Your mother told me about what happened with Ani, and she's right: since Ani awoke from her coma, her symptoms have been consistent with those of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a very delicate disorder, but with the right treatment and care, she'll be back to her normal routine in no time."

Her wording wasn't lost on me. Ani would never be the same again. One question rattled around in my mind, creating a knot of dread in my stomach: would any of us ever be?

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