Chapter 8 – Bonds and Rivalries
Ethan awoke to the soft morning light filtering through his hospital room window. His eyes landed on a tray of breakfast neatly arranged on the table beside him, accompanied by a folded note. Curious, he picked it up and read:
Here's your breakfast. Sorry about yesterday's accident.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Smooth move, Ethan."
After finishing his meal, he dove into his routine—push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Each movement felt more fluid, a testament to his progress. The system's benefits were evident, and he relished the tangible improvements.
Post-workout, he showered and dressed, deciding to step outside for fresh air. As he exited his room, he nearly collided with Alise.
"Alise!"
Before he could say more, she enveloped him in a warm hug. "You're up and about! No more bandages, I see."
He chuckled. "Yeah, feeling much better."
"I'm sorry I couldn't visit yesterday."
"It's okay. Work comes first."
"Actually, my mom insisted I take a break and visit you."