Page 141 of Beneath the Shadows

"Your wife is in critical condition," he says, his patience fraying. "We need to be able to move freely to help her."

“You don’t understand. If I let go, I’ll lose her.” My words tumbling out in a frantic rush. “She can’t leave me. So, you’ll have to figure it out.”

Tears blur my vision, but I barely notice. I cling to her hand desperately. She’s everything I am—everything I love. I can’t let go. Not now. Not ever.

“Tesoro,” I murmur, my voice breaking. “Please. I need you. I can’t do this without you.”

When we finally pull up to the hospital, the back doors burst open and chaos erupts. A team of doctors and nurses rush toward us, barking orders and spouting medical jargon. I stumble after them, my legs weak, barely carrying my weight, the pain in my ribs screaming with every step.

Alessia’s hand is ripped from mine as they rush her toward the trauma unit. My heart lurches as I watch her disappear behind a set of double doors. I try to follow, but hands press against my chest, firm and unrelenting.

“You can’t go back there.”

“Move,” I shout, trying to push past. “I need to be with my wife.”

“Sir, you need to stay out here,” he insists. “Let the doctors do their work.”

“I’m not leaving her.” My voice is hoarse, desperation choking me.

“Sir, please,” he says, his tone soothing, as though talking to a caged animal.

I don’t give a damn about rules, I need to be with her. My ribs throb as I argue, the pain finally breaking through my panic. Instinctively, I press a hand to my side.

“You’re injured too,” the nurse says, his voice firm but kind.

“I don’t care about me,” I snap, trying to shake off his hold. “I’m fine.”

But he doesn’t let go. His hands remain steady as he guides me to a chair, not taking no for an answer. “My name’s Liam. I’m a physician’s assistant, he says. “Dr. Hill’s with your wife. He’s one of the best trauma doctors we have. He’s doing everything he can for her.”

“Her name is Alessia,” I mutter.

Liam’s expression softens. “Alessia’s in good hands, I promise.” He crouches down, examining the cut above my eye. “Let’s get you patched up so you can be there for her when she wakes up, alright?”

The fight drains out of me, leaving only exhaustion and fear in its wake. My shoulders sag in defeat. “Fine. Just make it quick.”

Liam gives me a reassuring nod before gathering supplies. “Looks like you’re having trouble breathing,” he observes, pulling on gloves.

I sit back in the chair, my hands gripping the armrests. “I’ve had worse,” I mumble.

He drags a metal tray over, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m sure. But right now, I’m responsible for you, and I’m not cutting corners,” he says, his eyes meeting mine. And I’m pretty sure Alessia would want me to make sure you’re in one piece. Don’t want to get on her bad side.” He smiles.

A weak chuckle escapes me. “She’s tough,” I whisper. “A fighter.”

“She is,” Liam agrees as he cleans the cut. “And tough women need their stubborn husbands in one piece. So let me take care of you for her, okay?”

I stay silent this time, the sting of the needle barely registering. My focus already drifting back to the doors, waiting for any news.

“Just a few stitches,” Liam continues, his voice almost soothing as he works. “Then we’ll get those ribs x-rayed.”

Minutes drag by and I close my eyes, my thoughts are miles away—with Alessia and the promise that they’re doing everything they can to save her.

“Alright, that should do it. You’ll have a bit of a scar, though.” Liam says, pulling off his gloves. “I’m going to put in the orders for your x-rays. I’ll be back shortly to take you over.”

He walks away, leaving me alone in the sterile silence of the treatment room. The moment the door shuts, I pull out my phone to text Enzo.

Me:I found her.

Enzo:Where are you?

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