Like losing me would destroy him.
Russ.
The name echoes louder now.
Closer.
I reach for it with everything I have—
and somewhere far away—
I feel warmth against my hand.
42
Russ
The monitor spikes.
Sharp.
Sudden.
My head snaps up.
“What—”
The door bursts open.
Nurses rush in.
“Step back!”
I don’t.
I can’t.
“What’s happening?”
“Her heart rate is dropping!”
No.
No, no, no.
They move around me, fast, controlled—
but urgent.
Too urgent.
“She’s crashing again.”
The words hit like a physical blow.
I step back just enough to let them work.
Not enough to leave.
