Chapter 172. The Weight of Goodbye

Alexander’s POV

I sit slumped in the stiff hospital chair, the cold metal biting through the fabric of my shirt, but I barely feel it. My elbows rest on my knees, shoulders hunched, as I stare blankly at the floor tiles, the doctor’s words echoing in my head like a never-ending loop.

“The surgery was successful, but her condition remains critical. We’ve stabilized her for now, but she’s in a fragile state. We’ll keep her under intensive care and monitor her vitals closely. The next 24 hours are crucial. Let’s hope for the best.”

Hope. That damn word. So light on the tongue, yet so heavy on the heart.

In my hands, I grip the small stuffed bunny Sophia always carried—the one she had clutched tightly when she slipped and fell down those stairs. The fur is matted in some places, worn from all the times we played with i