DAMIEN’S POV

Morning light filtered through the curtains of the hospital room, casting a soft golden glow across the bed. It was quiet—too quiet, maybe. Just me and Rose.

The others had left hours ago, giving us space after the chaos of last night. Emilia had insisted on staying longer, but Maximus finally convinced her to rest for the baby's sake.

Dr. Harlan popped in every half hour to check monitors, but otherwise, it was just us. I sat in the chair beside her bed, my hand wrapped around hers, thumb tracing slow circles on her skin. She’d woken up a few times during the night—mumbling, shifting—but now she was...