The silence that enveloped the hospital room was suffocating, a palpable weight that pressed down on Brielle's shoulders like a physical burden. Her eyes remained fixed on Leo's motionless form, her fingers laced through his in a silent plea for him to wake up, to come back to her.

Darius paced like a caged lion, his footsteps echoing through the stillness like the ticking of a merciless clock. His jaw was set in a rigid line, his eyes burning with a fury that threatened to consume him from within.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention, and Mason appeared in the doorway, his expression grave.

"It's done," he announced,...