Chapter 48 : So small, so fragile.

CHAPTER 48

MELISSA’S POV

"I can’t lose him, Melissa," he finally said, his voice cracking slightly, betraying the emotion he usually kept locked away. "I’ve already lost too much."

Hearing that crack in his voice broke something in me. I wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, to promise that everything would be okay. But I knew better. Making promises in situations like this was dangerous, especially when I didn’t know the outcome myself.

"I’m doing everything I can," I said quietly. "I promise you that."

Knox nodded but didn’t say anything else. The car pulled to a stop in front of the hospital, and for a moment, neither of us moved. I felt the urge to say something more, to bridge the growing chasm between us, but the words just wouldn’t come.

"I should get inside," I finally said, breaking the silence. "There’s a lot to do."

"Right," Knox said, snapping back to the present. He cleared his throat, his mask of stoicism sliding back into place. "I’ll be waiting for your call."

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