Lyra’s POV
The cold, sterile scent of the hospital hung in the air as I stood at the edge of James’s bed, my fingers trembling slightly. My heart was pounding against my ribs, but I tried to stay calm. I had to stay calm. Alice’s words still echoed in my mind like a bitter slap, but I couldn't let them consume me. Not now. Not when everything felt so fragile.
I was lost in my thoughts when the door creaked open, and a doctor in a white coat walked in. The tension in the room grew thicker as both Alice and I turned to face him.
“Doctor,” I blurted out before Alice could say anything, stepping forward. My voice was desperate, even though I tried to keep it steady. “Please… is James going to be okay? Tell me he’s going to wake up. He *has* to wake up.”
The doctor gave me a somber look, an
