Chapter 51

**Glimmers of Hope**

The sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical equipment filled Samuel’s room, but today there was a different atmosphere. For the first time in days, Claire felt a sliver of hope. Samuel’s condition had stabilized overnight, and though he was still unconscious, the doctors had reassured them that his vitals were improving little by little. It was a fragile improvement, but it was something—something Claire clung to with every ounce of strength she had left.

Claire sat by Samuel’s bedside, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. The faint color returning to his cheeks was a small victory, a sign that maybe, just maybe, they were turning a corner. She reached out, gently squeezing his hand. “Keep fighting, Sam,” she whispered. “We’re right here with you.”

Ethan entered the room, carrying a fresh cup of coffee. He handed it to Claire, who accepted it with a grateful nod. They had been living in the hospital for days, surviving on caffeine and sh