A Heart in Jeopardy

Chapter 4 Fading Strength

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the sterile hospital room. A pale, tired light slanted through the blinds, cutting the white walls into strips of gold and grey. The faint smell of rain and antiseptic clung to the cold air.

Seraphina stirred beneath the stiff hospital sheets, her lashes fluttering before she blinked awake. The ceiling above her spun for a second before settling into focus. She drew in a shallow breath, her throat parched and raw.

"Seraphina," a soft, broken voice gasped.

Her eyes shifted to the side. Her mother, Elena Ellsworth, was already at her bedside, clutching her hand tightly. Dressed immaculately in a beige trench coat over a navy dress, Elena's usual polished demeanor had cracked — her eyes red-rimmed, her face pale with worry. Beside her stood her father, Richard Ellsworth, tall and imposing in his damp brown overcoat, and her younger brother Liam, his jaw tight with concern.

"Sera, are you alright?" Elena whispered, brushing Seraphina's tangled hair away from her forehead.

Seraphina tried to smile, but it faltered. Her voice emerged hoarse.
"I... think so. Just tired."

Richard leaned closer, his voice grave but gentle. "You gave us quite a scare, sweetheart. Passing out like that..." His eyes, usually so stern, softened with helpless fear. "Don't you ever do that to us again."

Seraphina blinked, confused memories of the interrogation flashing through her mind the harsh lights, Vincent's voice slicing into her, the footage...

"I didn't mean to," she whispered, shame flooding her chest.

Liam pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down heavily. He wore a black hoodie and jeans, damp at the hem from the rain outside. "Seraphina, you scared the hell out of me. I thought... I thought something worse happened."

"I just..." she hesitated, voice trembling, "I hadn't eaten. And... everything was too much." Her throat tightened as she spoke.

Elena squeezed her hand. "You don't have to explain yourself. None of this is your fault. You hear me?"

Seraphina's lips parted to argue, but Richard cut in, firm but kind, "Your mother's right. We're just glad you're awake."

A heavy silence settled for a moment, filled only by the rain tapping softly against the
windows.

A sudden lump formed in her throat.

"I want to go home," she said, her voice breaking. "Please. I don't want to stay here."

Liam leaned forward, his elbows resting heavily on his knees.
"You can't, Sera. Not yet."

"Why not?" she whispered, desperate.

Richard's face tightened. "The doctors need to monitor you for a while. Make sure you don't collapse again."

"And the police..." Elena hesitated, glancing at Richard. "There are... protocols."

"I don't care about them," Seraphina said, her voice rising in panic. "I just want to be home."

Elena and Richard exchanged a look over her bed, a silent conversation passing between them.

"Honey," Elena said carefully, her voice low and steady, "you're not strong enough to be moved yet."

"But I don't want to be alone here," Seraphina said, tears springing to her eyes.

"You won't be," Richard said immediately, reaching out and placing a heavy, reassuring hand on her arm. "We'll stay with you here and even at your house."

Liam nodded. "I'll sleep on the couch of your room. You won't be alone, Sera. Not for a second."

Seraphina's chest squeezed painfully. She had thought she'd have to face everything by herself. The thought of her family standing beside her chipped away at the heavy wall of fear inside her.

"You... you'd really stay with me? What about your shop and Liam, your college?" Seraphina whispered, her voice cracking with worry.

Her mother smiled softly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Your father and I can handle it. The shop will survive, and Liam—well, Liam's got everything under control, don't you, son?"

Liam leaned back in the chair, arms crossed, wearing a smirk that almost masked his concern. "Oh, absolutely. I'll just juggle running the shop and acing all my college exams while keeping an eye on you. Piece of cake." He paused, his expression shifting to serious. "But seriously, I'll take care of everything. You don't need to worry about the shop or anything. I've got it covered."

Seraphina furrowed her brow. "But the shop... and your classes..."

"Don't worry about me," Liam said with a half-smile. "I'll figure it out. Besides, I'm the only one who can save the shop from a disaster with my amazing charm and skill. And as for college... well, they'll just have to survive without their star pupil for a while."

Seraphina's lips twitched into a small smile despite herself. "I'll try not to be a burden."

"You're not a burden, don't even think that," Liam replied firmly, his tone softening. "You're my sister. I'm here for you. And we'll get through this together. Now, no more fainting, okay? It's really starting to mess with my schedule."

Seraphina chuckled weakly, but her heart felt lighter knowing her family was there for her.

She pressed her forehead to her mother's hand, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume — lavender and warmth.

"You need to rest now," Richard said, brushing a hand over her hair with surprising tenderness. "We'll be right outside. Call us the moment you need anything."

"We'll stay close, okay?" Elena whispered, kissing her temple. "Rest, my love."

Charles kissed her forehead. "Rest. Heal. We've got you."

Eleanor smoothed her hair one last time. "Sleep, my darling girl."

But Liam, true to form, wasn't ready to leave.

He sauntered back to the side of her bed, hands in his pockets, a mischievous glint sparking in his green eyes.

"Before I go," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "I need some info."

Seraphina blinked at him, bemused. "What info?"

"About the douchebag who interrogated you," Liam said gravely, as if plotting an international heist.
"I need his full name. Address. Social security number if you can manage. Phone number. Birthdate. Blood type. Zodiac sign. Childhood trauma. Shoe size. Favorite toothpaste brand."

Seraphina huffed a soft laugh, too tired to fully join in but warmed by his ridiculousness.

"Liam," she whispered hoarsely, "you're insane."

"No, no, I'm serious," he pressed, wagging his finger. "I need to know everything about Officer Broody so I can make it my life's mission to make him regret breathing the same air as you."

She smiled faintly, trying to shake her head, but even that simple movement made her dizzy.

Undeterred, Liam continued:
"What's his gender? Male, right? Ugh, of course. All males are disasters."
He counted off on his fingers dramatically. "Phone number? No? Fine, I'll hack it. Birthday? So I can post memes about him getting roasted in hell. Star sign? I bet he's a Scorpio — full of angst and bad decisions."

"I'm going to key his car," Liam decided brightly. "Or better yet — fill his office with glitter. Forever."

At that, Eleanor finally lost patience.

"Alright, alright, you little menace," she said, seizing Liam firmly by the ear. "Out. She needs rest, not your assassination plots."

"Ow, Mom! Abuse!" Liam yelped dramatically, dragging his feet but grinning wickedly at Seraphina. "Remember, Sera — glitter bomb plan 'Broody McAngryface' is still on the table!"

Seraphina chuckled weakly as she watched her mother wrestle Liam out the door like he was still a teenager instead of a grown man.

The room fell quiet again, but the warmth of their love lingered like a blanket around her aching body.

For the first time in days, Seraphina let herself drift back into sleep with a small, genuine smile on her lips.