His heart starts pounding.

“Catarina?” he calls, his voice trembling.

She doesn’t open her eyes, but the touch is there—real, firm, alive. Henri brings his other hand to hers, holding it gently, as if he’s afraid that miracle might slip away.

“You can hear me…” he whispers, emotion overwhelming him. “My God… you can hear me!”

The tears come rushing back, streaming down his face as he smiles, laughs, and cries all at once.

“You have to wake up. You have to open your eyes. Please…”

The heart moni