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I look toward the bed. “So she’s going to be okay?”

“Yes. Her vital signs have remained stable, and the sedative is wearing off. She’ll likely be groggy for a while, but I don’t see any indication of lasting harm.”

I finally release the breath I’ve been holding. “Thank God.”

“She needs rest and observation tonight. I’ll continue monitoring her, but I expect her to make a full recovery. With the treatment I’ve given her, she should come out of it soon.”

“How soon?” I ask.

“Within a few hours. The drug in her system isn’t poisonous at the dose she received. We’re running additional blood tests to be certain, but so far she’s stable and will be fine.”

The doctor leaves, and I turn back toward my wife. She looks peaceful now, unaware of the chaos her absence of consciousness has caused inside me.

Someone tried to take her from me. They failed, but I won’t make the mistake of assuming they’ll stop there. Whoever did this is almost certainly connected to the attack at the gala. Twice now they’ve gotten close to my wife. Twice they’ve nearly taken her from me.

I call security and order the estate to be locked down. No one enters or leaves without clearance. Not a single person. Not even an ant steps onto the property without my knowledge.

Later that evening, Aurora finally stirs. Her eyes open slowly. “Roman?”

“I’m here baby.”

She blinks, disoriented. “What happened?”

I explain everything. The injection, the woman, how long she’s been unconscious. She asks for water. I help her drink, then carefully prop pillows behind her so she can sit up. When she says she needs the restroom, I lift her into my arms and carry her there, setting her gently on the toilet.

“Privacy,” she mutters.

“You almost died,” I tell her flatly. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

She grumbles but does what she needs to. When she’s finished, I carry her back to the bed.

“I’m going to get you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat something.”

Downstairs, Sofía already has soup ready. I bring the bowl up and feed her myself. She takes a few careful swallows before saying she’s had enough. After more water, she tells me what she remembers.

The woman watching her in the gift shop, the same woman following her to the cafe, the restroom, the needle. She apologizes for not alerting her bodyguard sooner, saying she thought she was only being paranoid.

I brush her hair back from her face. “It’s not your fault. Your guard should have been more alert.”

She looks at me. “Please don’t punish him, it’s not his fault.”

“Yes it is. He was supposed to protect you. He’s getting punished.” The look I give her leaves no room for argument.

After a moment, she asks, “Do you think this is connected to the shooting at the gala?”

“I believe so. I don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I will find out.”

She’s quiet for a moment, then asks softly, “Will you stay with me tonight? I know you’re busy, but… please don’t leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere baby.”

I change out of my clothes and climb into bed beside her, pulling her tightly against me. I breathe her in, the solid reality of her still here, still alive.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I murmur against her hair. “I’m so fucking glad you’re fine. I can’t lose you, Aurora. Do you understand that? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you, Aurora.”