The minute the surgeon stepped into the hallway and nodded, Matthew didn't even wait for the words. He pushed past Kieran's arm and stumbled into the room.
Vinny was pale, hooked to monitors, chest rising weakly… but alive.
Matthew froze for a second. Then something inside him cracked.
He rushed to Vinny's bedside, cupped his face with trembling hands, and pulled him into a careful, desperate embrace.
"I thought— I thought I lost you," Matthew whispered, voice breaking, tears dripping onto Vinny's hospital gown.
Vinny, still groggy, raised a shaky hand to Matt's back. "Hey… I'm here. I'm here, Matty."
Matthew clung to him like he'd drown if he let go.
Even Kieran had to look away for a moment.
A few doors down, Aiden's eyes fluttered open. He didn't remember falling unconscious—only Vinny's blood, Vinny collapsing, Vinny being wheeled away.
The moment he realized where he was, panic exploded in him.
"Vinny— Vinny, where is he?!"
