GentleMonster 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒩ℴ𝒾𝓇 𝒳 𝒪𝒸

𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓔𝓶𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮

𝒜𝓂𝒷𝒶𝓇'𝓈 heart raced as she stepped through the ICU doors, her boots muffled against the polished floor. The lights above were brighter here, casting a cold, clinical glow that made her stomach churn. Adrien followed close behind, his presence grounding her even as she felt like she was walking into a nightmare.

A nurse met her just inside, a clipboard in hand and an understanding expression on her face. "You must be Ambar," the nurse said softly. "Your parents are stable but still in critical condition. They're heavily sedated for now."

"Stable?" Ambar repeated, the word a fragile lifeline in the chaos of her thoughts.

"Yes," the nurse confirmed, though her voice carried the weight of caution. "You can see them, but only for a few minutes. They need rest to recover."

Ambar nodded, her throat too tight to speak. The nurse led her down a short hallway, each step echoing in her ears. Adrien stayed a few paces behind, his gaze never leaving her as she moved with hesitant determination.

When they reached the room, Ambar froze in the doorway. There they were-her parents. Her father, Pierre, lay closest to the door, his face pale and bruised, with a large bandage wrapped around his head. Wires and tubes connected him to various machines, the rhythmic beeping of monitors filling the silence. Beside him, her mother, Marie, lay still, her arm in a cast and her face covered in small cuts, a deep bruise forming along her temple.

Ambar's knees almost gave out. She felt the world tilt, but before she could fall, Adrien's hand was at her elbow, steadying her.

"Breathe," he murmured, his voice soft yet firm.

She nodded, taking a shaky step into the room. Her trembling fingers clutched the edge of her jacket as she approached her father's bedside. "Dad," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her light brown eyes darted over his face, searching for any sign of recognition, but his eyes remained closed.

She moved to her mother next, her vision blurring with tears. "Mom," she choked out, reaching for her hand. Her mother's fingers felt cold beneath her own, and the sight of her usually vibrant, lively mother lying so still sent a fresh wave of anguish crashing over her.

How did this happen? How did everything change in a single moment?

Adrien stayed by the door, giving her space but keeping a watchful eye. His jaw tightened as he watched her, feeling an unfamiliar ache in his chest. She doesn't deserve this, he thought. She shouldn't have to go through this alone.

Ambar wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, her breaths shallow and uneven. She couldn't bear to see them like this, yet she couldn't bring herself to look away. "I'm here," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm here, and I'll do whatever it takes to help you get better."

The nurse reappeared, her expression gentle but firm. "I'm sorry, but we need to let them rest now," she said.

Ambar hesitated, her fingers lingering on her mother's hand before she finally let go. She turned, her steps slow and heavy as she walked back to the door. Adrien immediately straightened, his green eyes locking onto hers.

"You ready to go?" he asked softly.

She nodded, though her expression was vacant, her mind still trapped in the room with her parents. Adrien reached out, his gloved hand brushing her arm as he guided her out into the hallway.

Once they were back in the main waiting area, Ambar sank into a chair, her head falling into her hands. Adrien sat beside her, his knee brushing hers as he leaned forward, his hands clasped together.

"Ambar," he began, his voice hesitant.

She looked up at him, her tear-streaked face vulnerable and raw.