Two weeks had passed. Bastien hadn't moved from Kate's side. The artificial respirator had already been removed; she was breathing on her own. He wiped her face with cloths and cleaned her daily, kissed her lips and caressed her face.

—Kate, please, come back to me. I need you. Please. I love you, Kitty. Come back to me.

Bastien took her hand and covered it with kisses. The door opened, and the doctor returned.

—Hello Bastien, I’m here to check on Kate.

She checked her vital signs, heart, refle