Lyra's heart leapt as she watched Eleanor's eyelids flutter. She burst through the door without thinking, startling both Lachlan and Raphael.
"She moved! Did you see it?" Her voice trembled with hope.
Lachlan jerked his head toward his wife, leaning closer. "Eleanor? Darling, can you hear me?"
For a breathtaking moment, Eleanor's eyes opened again. The hazy blue irises focused briefly on Lachlan, then shifted to Lyra. Her lips parted, forming silent words.
"El...ara..." The name came out as barely a whisper.
"I'm here," Lyra rushed to the bedside, taking Eleanor's cold hand in hers. "I'm right here."
Eleanor's fingers twitched in Lyra's grasp. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye before her lids fell closed again.
"Eleanor?" Lachlan's voice cracked. "Eleanor!"
The monitors continued their steady beeping, but Eleanor had slipped back into unconsciousness. Lachlan jabbed the call button repeatedly, his composure shattering.
"Get the doctor! Now!" he shouted.
