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Chapter 49

Author: ONYINYE
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-08 23:24:01

**When Hope Hangs by a Thread**

The sterile beep of Samuel’s monitors echoed through the room, a haunting reminder of the fragile line between hope and despair. Claire and Ethan had been at the hospital for what felt like days, watching helplessly as the doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize Samuel. The infection had spread quickly, attacking his organs, and now they were racing against time to save his life.

Claire stood at Samuel’s bedside, her hand wrapped around his, willing him to fight. She had been through so much—fighting for the shop, fighting to hold her family together—but none of it compared to the fear of losing her son. Every beep of the machines sent her heart into her throat, each one a cruel reminder of how close they were to losing him.

Ethan stood beside Claire, his eyes never leaving Samuel. He felt the weight of every decision he had made, every step that had led them here. He had tried to protect his family, but in doing so, he had driven a wedge between them. N
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