The night had not truly passed.
The sky was still dark.
And the air inside the hospital room felt increasingly suffocating.
Not because of noise.
Not because of movement.
But because something invisible was reaching its limit.
Sophia lay there, her breathing no longer as calm as before.
Her eyes were open.
Her vision was slightly blurred.
Her hand gripped the blanket.
Tighter than usual.
There was pain that came without warning.
And this time.
It was not mild.
On the other side of the room, Adrian Blackwood noticed it instantly.
He did not wait.
His steps were quick as he approached.
"Sophia."
His tone had changed.
Sharper.
Deeper.
Sophia tried to answer.
Her voice was caught in her throat.
Her breathing was unstable.
The pain returned.
Stronger.
Clearer.
And impossible to ignore.
Daniel stood up immediately from his chair.
His face was tense.
"What is happening."
Leonard Graves also moved closer.
No more jokes.
No more calmness.
