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“Anna,” Damian murmurs, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Remember to breathe.”
“Right.” I swallow hard, forcing air into my lungs as I step closer to Cassius’s bedside. “Breathe.”
“Talk to him,” Nikhil encourages softly. “It might help.”
“Hey, Cas,” I whisper, reaching out to grasp his cold hand in mine, trembling fingers brushing against his skin. “You have to fight, okay? We need you here with us. I need you.”
My voice cracks, and I feel a fresh wave of tears threatening to overtake me. But I push them back, focusing all my energy on the man lying before me, willing him to open his eyes, to give me some sign that he hears me.
“Please, don’t leave us, Cassius,” I beg, my heart breaking anew with every word. “We love you.”
And as I stand there, holding on to the fragile thread of hope that binds us together, I pray that somehow, someway, he can feel the depth of my emotions—and that it will be enough to bring him back to us.
43
ANNALISE
The sterile scent of the hospital room invades my nostrils as I step inside, my heart pounding in my chest. Cassius, my Niko, lies motionless on the bed, an orchestra of machines monitoring his every breath and heartbeat. I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency and concern wash over me. What if he never wakes up?
“Annalise, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up,” Isabella’s voice trembles as she approaches me. Her eyes are red-rimmed, her worry for Cassius palpable.
“Isabella, it’s okay. I know you’re worried about him too.” I offer her a reassuring smile, though my own fear gnaws at me inside.
My fingers itch to reach out and touch Cassius, to feel the warmth of his skin and reassure myself that he’s still here, fighting. But the sight of the tubes and wires snaking around him holds me back. Instead, I focus my attention on Isabella, trying to comfort her as I grapple with my own emotions.
“Is there any news?” My voice cracks slightly, betraying my vulnerability.
“They said he’s stable, but waking up is going to be the hardest part,” Isabella whispers, her gaze never leaving her brother’s pale face.
“Then we’ll be here for him, every step of the way.” My resolve hardens, fueled by my love for this man who’s become so important to me and my daughters.
I pull Isabella into a tight embrace, the weight of our shared worry pressing us together like gravity. Her body trembles against mine, and I can feel her tears dampen my shoulder.
“Everything’s going to be okay, Isabella,” I murmur, gently rubbing her back as if to soothe away her fears. “We’re all here for Cassius, and he’s strong. He’ll get through this.”
She sniffles and pulls back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her gaze flickers to my still-flat stomach, concern etched deep in her expression. “What about the baby?” she asks, her voice barely audible. “Is…is everything all right?”
“Of course,” I assure her, resting a hand on my belly as if to shield the fragile life growing within me. “The baby’s safe, and your brothers are doing everything they can to protect us.”
“Thank God,” Isabella breathes out, relief flooding her features. “You know how much I care for you and the girls, Annalise. I just want everyone to be okay.”
“Your love means the world to us,” I tell her sincerely, squeezing her hand for emphasis. “We’re so grateful to have you in our lives, Isabella.”
Her smile is small but genuine, and it warms me to see that even in this dark moment, we can find solace in each other.
“Let’s stay strong for Cassius, okay?” I say, determination surging through my veins like electricity. “Together, we’ll make sure he wakes up and comes back to us.”
“Absolutely,” Isabella agrees, her own resolve shining bright in her tear-filled eyes. “We’ll be there for him, no matter what.”
As we stand side by side, united in our love for Cassius and the family we’ve created together, I can’t help but feel that despite the shadows that loom over us, there’s a glimmer of hope guiding us forward. And for now, that’s enough.
The steady beeping of the heart monitor fills the air like a haunting melody, each beat a reminder of the fragile thread that connects Cassius to this world. As I stand in the dimly lit hospital room, the weight of the situation settles heavily upon my shoulders.
“Annalise,” Isabella murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper as she reaches out and grasps my hand. “I know this is hard, but you have to believe that my brothers won’t let anything happen to the baby.”
Her reassuring words bring a small measure of comfort to my troubled heart. “I know,” I reply softly, my fingers tightening around hers. “It’s just difficult not to worry when so much is at stake.”
“Understandable,” she says with a nod, her eyes filled with empathy. “But remember, they’ve always had our backs, and they’ll do everything in their power to keep us safe.”
