Evelyn stood frozen outside the quiet hospital room, her hand still resting on the cold door handle. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as the surgeon’s stern words reached her ears through the small crack in the door.

"The skin tissue across your upper back is severely damaged, Mr. Vance," the doctor said, his deep voice heavy with deep concern. "If you do not stay completely still and rest for at least two weeks, the scar tissue will tear. You could face permanent muscle damage and lose full movement in your left arm forever."

Julian sat up straight on the high hospital bed, his sharp face pale but full...