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194

Author: Um_royhan
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-17 12:35:01

194

Emilia’s POV

The sound of Francesca’s labored breathing filled the room, her small chest rising and falling in fragile, uneven rhythm. I sat perched on the edge of her bed, clutching her tiny hand. She usually radiated warmth and joy, but now she looked so pale, so fragile, it made my heart ache.

“Do you need anything, sweetheart?” I asked softly, though I already knew the answer. Her voice had been barely a whisper since early morning.

She shook her head weakly, her lips curving into the faintest smile. “I’m fine, Mommy. Just tired,” she murmured, her voice cracking with the effort it took to speak.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’re not fine,” I said gently but firmly. “And we’re going to make sure you are, okay?”

The door creaked open behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Alaric. His heavy footsteps were unmistakable, purposeful yet hesitant.

“How is she?” he asked, his deep voice raw with tensio
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