MEETING THE DARKNESS

32

Two days had passed since the surgery, and the weight of those forty-eight hours had taken a toll on Viktor. He hadn't left the hospital once, staying by Dia's side for every second he could. His usual sharp appearance had faded—his eyes were bloodshot, dark circles hung beneath them, and his clothes were wrinkled from sleeping in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside her bed.

Viktor sat by her side, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest as she lay unconscious. The rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring her vitals was the only sound in the room, but Viktor barely registered it anymore. He was drained—physically, emotionally, and mentally. He hadn't eaten, hadn't spoken much to anyone. Every moment was spent watching her, willing her to wake up.

Dia looked so small, so fragile. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with the vibrant woman she normally was. The bandages on her torso were a reminder of the fight she had barely survived, and every time Viktor's eyes landed on them, the guilt resurfaced, gnawing at his insides. He leaned forward, resting his forehead on the back of her hand, clutching it gently, afraid to apply any pressure.

"I should've protected you," he whispered, his voice hoarse from exhaustion and emotion. "I promised I would always be there. And I failed."

His head was heavy with sleepless nights and the constant storm of his thoughts. He replayed the events over and over in his mind, analyzing every decision, every move. If only he'd known about Alan, if only he had been more vigilant... if only he had told her how he really felt before all of this.

"You have to wake up," Viktor murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "I need you."

As if responding to his plea, Dia stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering for the briefest of moments. Viktor's heart raced, his entire body freezing in place as he leaned closer, afraid to hope. "Dia?"

Her lips parted slightly, a weak breath escaping, but her eyes remained closed. Viktor sat back, his pulse still pounding in his ears. She was coming back. Slowly, but she was fighting.

Just then, the door to the room creaked open, and Kai stepped in quietly, his expression one of concern. He had checked on Viktor regularly over the past two days, trying to convince him to rest, but Viktor refused every time.

"You should get some sleep, brother," Kai said softly, walking over to place a hand on Viktor's shoulder. "You're no good to her if you collapse."

Viktor shook his head, barely sparing Kai a glance. "I can't leave her. Not until she wakes up."

Kai sighed, pulling up a chair beside him. "You're running yourself into the ground. Dia wouldn't want this for you."

Viktor didn't respond, his focus solely on the woman lying in the hospital bed. For the first time in years, he felt like he had no control. Everything was out of his hands, and it terrified him. Kai took the hint and left the room while looking at his brother's condition.

Just then, Dia stirred again. Her hand twitched in his, and this time, her eyelids fluttered open—just barely. Viktor's breath caught in his throat as her gaze, unfocused and heavy with pain, met his.

"Dia," he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of relief and emotion. "I'm here. You're safe."

Her lips moved, but no sound came out at first. She blinked slowly, trying to gather the strength to speak. "V... Viktor?" she finally rasped, her voice weak and scratchy.

Viktor nodded, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "Yes, it's me. You're okay now. You're going to be okay."

Dia blinked again, her brow furrowing as if she were trying to make sense of everything. "What... happened?"

He squeezed her hand gently, his voice soft. "You were hurt. OCTI... Alan... they tried to take you from me. But you're safe now. I swear, I won't let them get near you again."

Dia's eyes slowly filled with understanding, and then with concern as she looked at him. "You... you look awful."

A small, exhausted smile tugged at Viktor's lips. "I'll be fine. Just focus on getting better."

Dia's eyes closed briefly, her strength fading again, but not before she whispered, "You stayed..."

Viktor nodded, his heart aching. "Of course I did. I'm not going anywhere."

As she drifted back to sleep, Viktor slumped back in his chair, drained but relieved. She had woken up. She had spoken to him. It was the first step, and it was enough to ease the crushing weight he'd been carrying.

Viktor remained where he was, holding Dia's hand, silently promising himself that he would never let anything happen to her again. He didn't care how long it took, or what he had to do—he was going to protect her. And when she was ready, he would tell her everything. How much she meant to him, how much he loved her.

Because losing her, even for a moment, had made him realize something he could no longer deny. Dia wasn't just his wife by convenience—she was his world, his reason for everything.

And he couldn't imagine a life without her in it.

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Happy reading!

With love,

CARA