After what felt like forever, Zoe finally pulled up in front of the emergency entrance. Celina jumped out of the car, her desperate eyes scanning the area as if Thor might somehow be standing there, waiting for her. But all she found were glass doors sliding open automatically—and the sharp, sterile scent of antiseptic.

“We took too long!” Celina gasped, breathless. “Oh God, why did it take us so long?”

Zoe steadied her by the shoulders, speaking gently but firmly.

“The lane’s reserved for ambulances, honey. I did the best I could.”

Celina broke free and rushed to the reception desk, slamming her hands down on the counter in panic.

“Please! Thor Miller! He was just brought in by ambulance! I’m his wife! How is he?!”

The receptionist, calm but quick, typed rapidly on her keyboard.

“Mr. Thor Miller was admitted about twenty minutes ago. He was taken straight into surgery. You can wait in the surgical waiting area—down this hall, to your right.”

“Thank you… thank you…” Celina murmured, h