Episode Eleven
1034 Words
As soon as they reached the hospital, Marco opened his eyes and straightened up.
Gino pulled the car into the parking lot, and the two of them stepped out.
The sterile scent of the hospital hit Marco as they entered through the sliding doors, and his eyes quickly scanned the waiting area.
Delilah was there, pacing anxiously, her eyes fixed on the floor as she chewed on her bottom lip.
Her usual confident demeanor was gone, replaced with something more fragile, more real. She hadn’t noticed Marco yet, her mind clearly consumed with worry.
Marco walked toward her, but before he could say anything, the doors to the examination rooms swung open, and a doctor stepped out, his face unreadable.
"Ms. Flynn?" the doctor called, catching Delilah’s attention.
She rushed over, her eyes wide with concern. Marco stayed close behind, watching her every move.
"How is she?" Delilah asked, her voice strained.
The doctor sighed softly before speaking. "Your aunt is in critical condition. We’re doing everything we can."
Delilah’s face paled, and Marco could see her fighting to keep her composure. She glanced at the floor, processing the doctor’s words.
"But," the doctor continued, "there’s something else. During our examination, we discovered that your aunt has lung cancer."
Delilah’s breath hitched, and for a moment, her tough exterior cracked. Her hands clenched into fists as she stared at the doctor, struggling to accept what she had just heard.
"No…" Delilah whispered, shaking her head as though denying it would change the reality. "You have to save her. Do whatever it takes."
"We’re doing all we can," the doctor replied calmly, "but the cancer is in an advanced stage. We’ll focus on stabilizing her for now, and then we’ll discuss the next steps."
Delilah nodded, though the shock of the situation weighed heavily on her.
The doctor gave her a small, sympathetic smile before turning and heading back toward the doors he had come through.
As the doctor disappeared, Delilah stood frozen for a moment, her arms wrapping around herself protectively.
Marco watched her, his eyes narrowing. This was the first time he had seen her so vulnerable.
The woman who had shot Vincent’s men without hesitation now stood helpless against something she couldn’t fight.
Silently, Marco walked up beside her, his presence quiet but solid.
Delilah didn’t turn to look at him, her eyes still locked on the hallway, waiting for any sign of good news about her aunt.
Her shoulders sagged slightly, the strong, fearless woman he’d seen earlier now standing on uncertain ground.
He leaned in closer, his voice low, "She’ll be fine. Your aunt’s tough. She’ll make it through this."
Delilah’s head dipped slightly as if she were trying to take in his words, but the worry on her face didn’t fade completely. Still, she wasn’t pacing anymore. That was something.
"I’ll make sure they do everything for her," Marco continued, his tone firmer now, wanting to reassure her. "We won’t let anything happen to her."
Delilah exhaled slowly, and for a moment, the fight in her seemed to ease. She glanced at him, her eyes reflecting her doubts but also her willingness to believe, even if just for a second.
Before she could say anything, the sound of footsteps approached.
Frank appeared from the hallway, his face stoic as he made his way toward them.
"Marco. Delilah," Frank said, his voice brisk. "Elder Donato requests your presence immediately."
Delilah’s eyes widened, and she shot Marco a look of confusion.
Marco tensed, immediately understanding what that meant.
He glanced at Delilah, knowing full well she wouldn’t want to leave, not with her aunt still in a critical state.
"I’ll go," Marco said quickly. "You stay here. Be with your aunt."
Frank shook his head, his expression stern. "No. Elder Donato ordered me to bring both of you to the mansion. Now."
Delilah’s face twisted in shock. "What? Does your grandfather not care that my aunt is dying?" Her voice rose, filled with disbelief and anger. "What if she dies?"
Frank barely reacted, giving a casual shrug. "Doesn’t matter to me. I’m just here to do what I was told."
Delilah’s fists clenched at her sides, and Marco could feel the heat rising off her.
He knew exactly where her mind was going, how she’d refuse to leave, how she’d fight tooth and nail to stay by her aunt’s side. Her parents had died when she was younger—she’d never let that happen to her aunt too.
"I’m not leaving her to die like—" Delilah started, her voice trembling with emotion, but Frank cut her off sharply.
"You don’t have a choice," Frank interrupted coldly. "If you refuse, I’ll drag you to the Donato mansion myself."
Marco’s eyes darkened.
He stepped forward, placing himself between Delilah and Frank, his voice like steel. "How dare you talk to a Donato like that?"
Frank didn’t flinch. His face remained unreadable, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, she’s not a Donato yet, is she?"
Delilah stood there, stunned at how easily Frank dismissed Marco’s authority. She hadn’t expected anyone to speak back to Marco, especially with that kind of attitude.
The moment hung heavy, the air thick with a mute challenge between the two men.
Marco’s fists clenched at his sides, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure.
Gino, sensing the brewing conflict, approached cautiously.
His eyes flicked between Marco and Frank, ready to intervene if needed.
Delilah could feel the heat rising between the two, the way Marco’s stance shifted, the barely controlled fury in his eyes.
She swallowed hard, recognizing the signs.
A fight could break out any second, and with everything going on, it was the last thing they needed.
"Fine," Delilah said quickly, her voice breaking through the growing storm. "I’ll go."
Marco shot her a look, his expression still hard, but she shook her head slightly, signalling for him to let it go.
Inwardly, she reassured herself, clinging to the hope that her aunt would be fine, that the doctors would take care of her.
"Please, God let Aunt Mary be okay," she prayed silently.
- Writer
