Thud!
Saoirse slowly slid down from where she had been leaning against the white tiled wall, eventually collapsing onto the cold floor outside the operating room in a heap of helplessness.
Lyra stumbled forward, bracing herself on the bench outside the OR, trying desperately to steady her breathing. But the more she tried to suppress it, the more violently her body trembled.
It was as if something inside her had snapped—her hormones spiraling out of control.
...
Hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Lying in the hospital bed, Veil finally stirred, consciousness slowly returning.
"Veil!"
Saoirse and Lyra spoke in unison, both leaning forward at the same time, each gripping one of his hands tightly. Their eyes were filled with hope and relief.
Their reddened eyes told the story—who knew how many times they had cried?
