Chapter 130
Zara’s hands trembled as she stroked Leo’s hair. Her mind raced, and her heart pounded with the weight of everything. She could hear the medics working on Winter, their hushed voices blending with the sounds of quiet sobs and murmurs behind them. She wanted to be strong, but exhaustion gnawed at her, and every inch of her body screamed for a break.
"Mommy..." Leo’s voice, small and fragile, pulled her back to the present.
She leaned down, brushing her cheek against his. "Yes baby? You’re awake?"
"Uncle? Where is he?" he whispered, his voice shaky. "Uncle will be okay?"
Zara felt a pang in her chest. "Yeah," she said quietly, even though the uncertainty gnawed at her insides.
Her gaze flickered back to Winter, who was still conscious, despite the blood loss and the brutal wound on his side. His eyes were half-lidded, but there was a stubborn glint in them. He was trying to hide how much pain he was in, trying to act unaffected for her sake. It was maddening, seeing him like that, because he was far from okay.
The medics worked quickly, stitching him up with a calm professionalism that didn’t match Zara’s frantic pulse. They cleaned his wound and applied antiseptic with swift hands. One of them glanced up at her, offering a brief smile, but it didn’t reassure her.
"Everything is going to be ok," the healer said gently, noticing her worried gaze.
Zara forced a nod, but her eyes kept darting between Winter and Leo. She couldn’t help herself; she had to reassure herself that they were both going to be alright.
"Are you ok? There’s blood on you," someone said, reaching for her.
"I’m fine," she dodged the hand. But her words were hollow, even to her. She didn’t feel okay. " Please focus on him." Winter’s blood stained the floor, his skin pale, and his breath shallow. Her eyes flicked to him as the medic continued stitching his wound, and she fought the urge to rush over, to demand they work faster.