Chapter 261: Awakening the Heart
Jas’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, his thumb brushing against her skin in a gesture of comfort. "Don’t think like that. He’s going to pull through, Zinnia. He has to. And no matter what happens, you’re not alone in this. I’m here for you."
The honesty in his voice hurt her chest. She looked up at him, and her tears obscured her vision. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice trembling.
Though Zinnia nodded at Jas’s words, a part of her heart ached with longing. She wished it was Samuel sitting beside her, his deep voice offering the reassurance she so desperately needed. She realized Samuel had a way of making her feel safe, even when everything else was crumbling around her. She wanted him there, not just in body but in spirit, standing by her through this storm.
She gently withdrew her hand from Jas’s grip, her fingers brushing against his briefly before she folded her hands in her lap. It wasn’t fair to him. She could see the concern etched in his features, the weight he carried for her and her family. But she no longer wanted to burden Jas with her problems.
Jas’s eyes flickered with sothing unreadable—disappointnt, maybe, or understanding—but he didn’t press her. Instead, he turned his attention to Elena. "Mrs. Lopez," he said gently, his voice softer now, "why don’t you sit down for a bit? You’ve been on your feet for too long. Rest for a mont. Your husband would want that.
Elena hesitated, her eyes lingering on her husband. "I can’t rest," she murmured. "Not while he’s like this."
"I know," Jas said, his voice steady. "But you need to take care of yourself too. Even a mont’s rest will help you stay strong for him."
After a while, Elena yielded. She slumped into the chair next to Ricardo’s bed, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Her eyes did not leave her husband’s face, as if she could will him to wake up with sheer willpower.
Zinnia watched as Jas pulled another chair closer and sat beside her again. He didn’t speak, didn’t try to comfort her further. He simply stayed there, his silent presence a steadying force in the room.
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Hours ticked by, punctuated only by the gentle beeping of the monitors and the steady whir of the ventilator. Zinnia sat with her hands clenched in her lap, her heart weighed down by exhaustion and worry. She had lost track of ti, the minutes and hours blurring together in the stillness of the room.
Then, just when the weight of despair was going to settle down on her totally, sothing captured her attention. A faint movent—a flicker of motion along the edge of her vision.
She caught her breath. She leaned forward; her eyes, fixed on Ricardo’s hand. "Mom
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