Chapter 13 - THE NIGHT LUCA ALMOST LOST THEM
Lily developed a serious infection during treatment.
The hospital admitted her for urgent care.
Nora rushed to her bedside.
Luca arrived minutes later.
For hours, they waited.
Doctors monitored Lily closely.
Nora sat with her hands clasped.
Luca remained beside her.
He couldn't fix this.
Couldn't buy certainty.
Couldn't command the illness to disappear.
He could only wait.
Nora began crying.
Luca took her hand.
She didn't pull away.
“I'm scared,” she whispered.
“I know.”
“What if—”
He shook his head gently.
“Let's listen to the doctors and take this one hour at a time.”
She nodded.
They stayed together through the night.
By morning, Lily's condition had stabilized.
Nora cried with relief.
Luca held her.
May you like
And neither pretended that love made them invincible.
But it made the waiting less lonely.
