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When my fingers brushed against it, I resisted the instinct to draw back. Needles jutted from her fragile skin like unwelcome thorns.

“Sorry,” I whispered, shock mingling with concern. “Laya, are you okay?”

Before I could collect my thoughts, Cali rushed to the other side of her sister, tears streaming down her face as she saw her sibling’s fragile state.

“Shhh, I’m fine,” Laya reassured us. “It looks worse than it is. Cali, please stop crying. I’m okay.”

My eyes scanned her frame, absorbing every visible inch of her.

“What did the doctor say?” I asked.

“Nothing much, actually,” she replied softly, the mystery still lingering in the air. “I caught him whispering with the nurses, but I couldn’t make out what was said. He only mentioned that he would come for you when I asked for you again.”

“He said he’d be right back,” I replied. “I’m sure everything is fine.”

She offered me a crooked, tired smile, her eyes reflecting both sleepiness and hope.

In that moment, my heart brimmed with gratitude, surpassing my body’s exhaustion. The tension that had knotted inside me slowly unraveled until I felt as weak and vulnerable as a puppy.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, my love,” I whispered, tucking a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

“Me too,” she replied, then asked, “What happened to your brothers?”

I shook my head, determined to keep the moment free from further worries. “Shh, we can discuss all of that later. You’re safe now. I promise you that. Nobody will ever hurt you again, Laya.”

“Niko, it wasn’t your fault,” she insisted, but I knew the truth, and nothing would persuade me otherwise.

“Hush,” I said, placing my finger on her lips. “We have all the time in the world to discuss this later. Let’s focus on getting you completely healed, all right?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I scanned the hallway for the doctor, my impatience growing with each passing second. I exchanged a worried glance with Cali before quickly looking away.

I wouldn’t stop worrying until I knew Layana was out of the woods.

“I’ll be right back,” I announced, leaving Laya and Cali to their quiet conversation as I set off to find the doctor.

I left the door ajar, a fragile lifeline connecting me to her side, resolute in my determination to return as swiftly as possible. Once I located him, I intended to insist that a security team be stationed outside her room immediately.

My heart pounded louder as I approached the nurses’ station, anxiety swirling with each heartbeat.

“I’d like to speak with my wife’s doctor. He said he would return shortly. Where is he?”

The nurse looked up at me with calm efficiency. “Oh, yes, of course. You’re Mr. Galanis, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I confirmed with a tight nod.

“Dr. Moros will be back shortly. I’m sure he’ll find you as soon as he can.”

“His name is Dr. Moros?”

A chill of dread ran down my spine. In the labyrinth of Greek mythology, Moros personified impending doom and death.

“Yes, Mr. Galanis,” she confirmed.

“You have to be kidding me,” I couldn’t help but shout. “I want another doctor! Immediately!”

Over my dead body would anyone associated with dying treat my wife.

Every instinct in my scream to grab her and leave.