HER LIFE

Scared

Elijah's POV

The room was eerily silent, with the rhythmic hum of the hospital machinery filling the air. My siblings were scattered around the room, asleep on the couches, chairs, and even the cold floor. Exhaustion had claimed us all after the emotional storm of the past few hours. I should have been asleep too, but sleep had abandoned me long ago.

The sudden, frantic beeping of Val's heart monitor shattered the silence. I jolted up, my heart pounding in my chest as the sound drilled into my skull. The others stirred awake too, panic flashing across their faces.

"Val!" I gasped, my throat dry as I leapt from my seat. My hands were trembling as I darted toward the door, bursting into the hallway. "Doctor! Doctor, come quickly!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

The doctor rushed in with a nurse close behind. His eyes went straight to the monitor, and I watched the color drain from his face.

"Code blue! She's having a seizure!" he barked.

The nurse immediately started preparing medication, while the doctor moved swiftly to stabilize Val. They were doing everything they could, but the sight of her convulsing, so fragile and helpless, tore at my heart. We were told to leave the room, and my legs felt like they might collapse under me as we were ushered into the hallway.

For two agonizing hours, we waited outside the room, clinging to the thin thread of hope that she'd pull through. I couldn't stop pacing, my fists clenched, knuckles white. The rest of the family sat in tense silence, their faces mirroring my anguish. I caught Andrew staring at the floor, unmoving, while Blake looked like he was on the verge of breaking.

Finally, the doctor stepped out. His expression was calmer now, and my heart dared to hope.

"She's awake," he said, and the world seemed to click back into place.

Without a word, we all rushed inside, desperate to see her. Val was sitting up, her eyes open, though her face was pale and drawn. Relief surged through me so fast that I almost collapsed. She was here. She was alive.

Savio's POV

She's awake. Thank God, she's awake.

As I stood there watching her, the flood of relief was tempered with a wave of guilt. We had just gotten her back, and now she was hurt—again. I couldn't shake the thought that maybe it was a mistake for her to come back. Maybe if she had stayed away, none of this would have happened. But then, another thought pushed in: No, she belongs here. With us. We've already missed so much of her life. I can't let her slip through our fingers again.

I'll protect you this time, Pumpkin. I swear I won't fail you again.

Ace's POV

The second I saw her sitting up, I made a vow. I was going to kill the person responsible for this. Slowly. Painfully. Just a few minutes ago, one of our men called. It was the German mafia. They're the ones who orchestrated this attack. We've already got some of their men in our basement, and I'll make them regret ever crossing our path.

I turned to Blake, whispering in his ear, "We've got them."

His eyes lit up with the same vengeful fire burning in my chest.

Blake's POV

Ace told me we had the bastards. My blood boiled with rage. I wanted to storm downstairs right now and make those men pay. They took Val from us once before, and I'll be damned if I let them try it again. I clenched my fists, aching to feel the satisfaction of revenge.

Andrew cleared his throat and said, "Everyone out except Elijah."

We filed out reluctantly, knowing something serious was coming.