I stared at her blankly, tears still falling, but that crushing guilt weighing on me seemed to lift just a little.
"He'll be okay, right?" My voice was small, pleading.
"Yes." Mia nodded firmly. "He'll be fine. A man who survived gang wars isn't gonna die on an operating table."
Just then, the OR doors swung open.
I shot to my feet, practically lunging at the doctor. "How is he?"
The doctor pulled down his mask, exhaustion mixing with relief on his face. "Surgery was successful. We removed the shrapnel—no bone or major vessel damage. He lost significant blood, but we've given transfusions. He's very weak and needs rest."
My legs buckled. Mia caught me just in time.
"What about the other patient?" I asked. "Sasha—the man with the leg injury—"
"His situation's worse." The doctor frowned. "Comminuted fracture of the left leg. We did our best to repair it, but recovery will take time. Good news is we saved the leg—no amputation risk."
I exhaled long and slow.
"Thank you, doctor. Thank you..."
"You're welcome." The doctor patted my shoulder. "He'll be moved to a room soon. You can see him. But remember—don't let him get too worked up. He needs rest."
"I understand."
Soon, Nikolai was wheeled out of the OR.
His eyes were closed, face paper-white, left arm wrapped in thickbandages. Various tubes connected to monitors, the heart rate monitor beeping steadily.
I followed the gurney to the VIP room, watching as nurses carefully settled him in.
"He needs rest now," the nurse said softly. "If anything seems wrong, press the call button immediately."
"Okay, thank you."
After the nurse left, only he and I remained.
I pulled a chair bedside, carefully taking his right hand—couldn't touch the injured left.
His hand was large, warm, palm calloused and rough.
Holding that hand, I broke down again.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered. "I'm sorry, Nikolai. This is my fault. If I hadn't been so stubborn, if I'd told you sooner about the baby, if I'd just listened..."
He didn't respond, just lay there quietly.
"I'm sorry." My voice grew more choked. "I know you monitored me to protect me, I know you were harsh because you were scared of losing me. I know all of it... but I still treated you that way..."
I lowered my head, burying my face against his hand.
"Please wake up..." I sobbed. "Please... I have so much to tell you... I want to tell you I love you... I want to tell you about our baby... please wake up..."
Outside the window, dawn slowly broke.
I still sat vigil, holding Nikolai's hand, not daring to let go even for a moment.
Waves of exhaustion crashed over me, but I forced my eyes open.
