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“Thank you, Isabella,” I say, feeling a touch more grounded by her support. “You’re right. We just have to trust them.”
A moment of silence passes between us before I find the courage to ask the question that has been gnawing at me since I entered the room. “How is he really doing, Isabella? What are the doctors saying about Cassius’s condition?”
She hesitates, her eyes darting toward the unconscious figure lying motionless on the hospital bed. “They’ve done all they can for now,” she admits, her voice wavering ever so slightly. “He’s stable, but it’s up to him to fight his way back to us.”
“Then we’ll be here for him, every step of the way,” I promise, my resolve steeling itself once more. “We’ll help him find the strength he needs to recover.”
“Of course, Annalise,” Isabella agrees, offering me a tremulous smile. “We’re in this together, and we’ll see Cassius through this, no matter what it takes.”
As we stand there, hand in hand, a newfound determination surges within me. We may be facing daunting challenges, but our love for Cassius and the life we’ve built together will not waver. With Isabella by my side and the protection of her brothers surrounding us, we’ll confront the darkness head-on and emerge from it stronger than ever before.
My heart races as Isabella’s words sink in, the gravity of Cassius’s situation becoming all too real. I swallow hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “So his life is truly hanging in the balance?”
Isabella nods solemnly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “The doctors said that the next few hours are critical. Waking up will be the most challenging part for him.” The suspense clings to the air like a heavy fog, and I can’t help but hold my breath, praying for some sign of life from Cassius.
“Thank you for telling me the truth,” I murmur, appreciating her candor even as my heart aches with worry.
“Of course, Annalise. You deserve to know what’s happening.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand, offering a small measure of comfort amidst the emotional turmoil we’re facing.
“Can I get you anything?” Isabella asks, brushing away her own tears before they can fall. “Maybe some coffee? You look like you could use it.”
Her offer provides a brief moment of respite, a touch of normalcy in this chaotic situation. But I shake my head, unable to think about anything other than the man lying motionless before me. “No, thank you. I just need to be here for Cassius right now.”
“I understand,” she replies softly, her gaze shifting back to her brother. “He’s lucky to have you by his side.”
I watch as Cassius’s chest rises and falls, each breath a testament to his stubborn determination to survive. My thoughts whirl around, a mixture of fear and hope, as I stand steadfastly beside him. For now, all I can do is wait, pray, and believe that our love will guide him back to us.
The steady beeping of the machines surrounding Cassius creates a haunting soundtrack to my racing thoughts. I can almost feel the weight of his vulnerability, and it’s suffocating. I need to anchor him, to remind him that he isn’t alone in this battle.
“Thank you for offering, Isabella,” I say, tearing my eyes away from Cassius’s too-still form. “But I can’t leave him right now. I need to be here when he wakes up.”
Isabella nods, understanding shining in her eyes. “I know. We’re all here for him—and for you.” She gives my hand one last reassuring squeeze before stepping back, allowing me the space I need.
I turn my attention back to Cassius, determined to make my presence felt. With deliberate movements, I drag a nearby chair over to the side of his hospital bed. Each scraping noise against the cold floor seems to echo louder than the last, but I don’t falter. Even if all I can do is sit vigil by his side, that’s what I’ll do.
As I settle into the chair, I reach out with trembling fingers, taking his hand in mine. It feels cold, lifeless, but I refuse to believe that’s all that remains. Beneath the surface, I know there’s still warmth, love, and a fierce determination to survive. I just have to help him find it.
“Please, Cassius,” I whisper, feeling the hot sting of tears in my eyes. “I need you to come back to me. To us. You’re not alone in this fight, so don’t give up on yourself—or on us. We’re stronger together, remember?”
The words tumble out in a desperate plea, but I don’t care who hears them. All that matters is reaching him, somehow. My heart aches with the weight of my love for him, and I can only hope that somehow, it’s enough.
Cassius’s chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm, yet his body remains so still it feels as if time itself has stopped. I cling to his hand, my heart pounding against the silence that surrounds us.
“Remember when we first met?” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. “You were so charming, sweeping me off my feet before I even realized what was happening. And despite everything that’s happened since then, you’ve always been there for me. You’ve shown me how powerful love can be, and I’m forever grateful for that.”
Tears stream down my face, but I don’t bother wiping them away. Instead, I let them fall freely as I continue to pour out my heart. “I know you’re strong, Cassius. I’ve seen it in your eyes every time you’ve faced down danger for our family. I’ve felt it in the way you hold me close at night, as if nothing could ever tear us apart. So please, fight this. Fight for us. I can’t do this without you.”
My throat tightens, words catching as I struggle to breathe through the pain. But I push on, stroking his hand with my thumb. “I love you, Cassius. More than I ever thought possible. I need you to come back to me, to our family. We belong together, and I won’t accept anything less.”
A long moment passes in which the only sound is my ragged breaths and the steady beep of the machines around us. Then, without warning, I feel the faintest pressure against my fingers. It’s so gentle, I almost believe I’ve imagined it—but no, there it is again, stronger this time.
His grip on my hand tightens, and my heart leaps in response. “Cassius?” I gasp, hope surging through me like a tidal wave. “Can you hear me?”
His eyelids flutter, and I hold my breath, willing him to open his eyes. And finally, when it seems like an eternity has stretched between us, he does. Brilliant blue eyes meet mine, hazy with confusion but undeniably awake.
“Annalise,” he croaks, his voice weak but unmistakably his own.
A sob escapes me as relief crashes over me, washing away the fear and uncertainty that’s plagued me for so long. Cassius is awake—truly, finally awake—and in this moment, nothing else matters.
