Raphael nodded, his expression calm and respectful. “Thank you,” he said, holding the door open for Luna.
Luna stepped inside, her breath catching as her eyes fell on Aurora.
Aurora lay in the hospital bed, her face pale and peaceful, as if she were only sleeping. Machines beeped softly around her, and an IV line ran into her arm. The sight of her lying so still made Luna’s heart ache. Tears gathered in her eyes as she hurried to Aurora’s side.
“Aurora…” she whispered, her voice trembling. She reached out and gently took Aurora’s hand in hers.
She knelt beside the bed, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Aurora,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry I haven’t come to see you. It wasn’t my fault, dear sister. I promise it wasn’t my fault.”
Luna’s tears fell onto the crisp white sheets as she clutched Aurora’s hand tightly. “I’ve missed you so much,” she said, her voice shaking. “You don’t deserve this. You’ve always been so strong, so brave… I wish I could trade places with you.”
Her shoulders trembled as she cried, her forehead pressing against the edge of the bed. “I know you can’t hear me,” she said softly, “but I promise you’ll get through this. You have to.”
She lifted her head and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Her voice grew steadier as she spoke. “From now on, I’ll come here every chance I get,” she said. “I’ll take care of you, Aurora. I’ll make sure you’re never alone.”
She kissed Aurora’s forehead gently, her lips lingering there for a moment. “Please hold on,” she whispered. “And keep the baby safe and warm. Damian is waiting for you. He needs you… we all do.”
Luna’s tears started again, and she lowered her head, clutching Aurora’s hand tightly.
Raphael, who had been standing near the door, watched silently. Seeing Luna cry like that tugged at something deep inside him. He didn’t know Aurora well, but he could see how much she meant to Luna. And for some reason, Luna’s pain felt like his own.
He stepped closer to the bed, his footsteps soft. He placed a gentle hand on Luna’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said quietly.
Luna looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with sadness.
“She’ll be okay,” Raphael said firmly, his voice steady and reassuring. “Aurora is strong. She’ll fight through this.”
Luna sniffled, her fingers still gripping Aurora’s hand. “You don’t know that,” she whispered. “What if she doesn’t wake up? What if…”
Raphael crouched beside her, his hand still on her shoulder. “Don’t think like that,” he said gently. “Aurora wouldn’t give up. And she wouldn’t want you to give up on her either.”
Luna’s lips trembled as she nodded slowly. “You’re right,” she said softly. “Aurora is a fighter. She’s always been a fighter.”
Raphael gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Exactly,” he said. “And you being here will help her. Even if she can’t hear you, she’ll feel it. She’ll know she’s not alone.”
Luna’s tears began to slow, her breathing evening out. She looked down at Aurora’s peaceful face and squeezed her hand gently. “I’ll be here for you,” she whispered. “I promise.”
Raphael stood up and placed his hands in his pockets, watching Luna with a thoughtful expression. There was something about her-her strength, her kindness-that he couldn’t ignore.
“You’re stronger than you think, you know,” he said, breaking the silence.
Luna glanced up at him, her eyes still glistening with tears. “I don’t feel strong,” she said softly.
Raphael smiled faintly. “That’s because you care too much,” he said. “But caring is what makes you strong.”
Luna gave him a small, sad smile. “Thank you, sir,” she said quietly.
The room fell silent again, the soft hum of the machines filling the air. Luna stayed by Aurora’s side, her hand never leaving hers. Raphael leaned against the wall, his gaze drifting between the two women.
In that moment, he realized just how important Aurora was-not just to Damian, but to Luna as well. And seeing how much Luna cared made him want to protect her, too.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, the light streaming through the window seemed to bring a sense of hope. Though the road ahead was uncertain, they all shared one thing: the determination to see Aurora through.