Suddenly, the door to the ER swung open and Leo stepped out. His surgical gloves were covered in dark crimson blood, and he slowly peeled them off, his expression heavy and exhausted.

Giovanni stepped forward instantly, his voice a tight, strangled breath. "Is she okay?"

Leo sighed and looked up at Vanni, the devastating news burning at the tip of his tongue. "I'm so sorry, Vanni," he murmured softly, unable to hold his brother's intense gaze for long. "We tried everything we could, but... she lost too much blood. We couldn't save her."

Leo's words echoed repeatedly in Vanni's ears, rendering him completely motionless.

We couldn't save her.

We couldn't...