he chemical bite of bleach and th

e in trauma centers just like this one, stitching up bodi

, I wasn't

the

g on an operating table with a col

he counter. My leg throbbed inside its fiberglass cast-a dull, r

?" the nurse as

chest, her eyes darting nervousl

und. I knew exactly what-

was

kerchief. A small, pristine bandage covered a cut on her forehead. It was

e save him! He swerved t

the station exchan

tress?" one murm

at the wife. She is just sta

nd took the pen

didn't

e thoracotomy?" I asked, my

open him up to stop th

t the sign

t sign, he

uld be a widow.

eductive and dark, offering a release

ng her grief like it was the final aria i

he tragic love of his life. Th

ive her that

pen to the pap

Viti

Cava

, shoving the clipboard b

waiting room, ignoring the murmurs. I sat as

zing hours

t like a contented cat. I didn't sleep. I watched the

double door

announced, looking exhausted

om the loveseat

" she c

d the doors withou

. I followed, my pace

fia was already staged. She was draped over

ets. Tubes snaked from his arms, and a ventilato

en-groggy, unfoc

ing to clear th

d around

. I was standing at the foot

dn't

t the woman weep

ounded like broken glass grindi

" Sofia sobbed, clutch

ispered, closing h

tom pain twis

He hadn't asked about me. He hadn't asked

on his mist

ed me. A cold

ped open. He fina

the relief vanis

"Good. The paperwork would have

brow furrowing in

ll you hav

a fruit basket the hospital had provided for VIP

with my chin. "She is fine. Your bond must be

ned. His voice was weak, but

y, Sofi

from her fingers

scre

hriek that made the heart

ring at her arm. "I can't fe

limp hand, shaki

p, triggering a casc

! What

iled, terror distorting h

f his finger. He clawed at the IV

he nurses rushing into the

't look

wn life support apar