The doctor moved with efficient grace, his focus absolute. He first checked the monitor, noting the elevated but steady heart rate and strong oxygen saturation.
"Leo," he said, his voice clear and calm but not loud. "Can you hear me? If you can, try to squeeze my hand."
He placed his fingers in Leo's palm. After a brief, delayed moment, Bella saw the subtle flex of his fingers against the doctor's.
"Good. That's very good." The doctor nodded, making a note on the chart the nurse handed him. "Now, can you tell me your full name?"
There was a longer pause. His lips moved slightly, but no sound came. He swallowed, and a flicker of frustration crossed his exhausted features.
"Leonardo… Moretti," he finally rasped, the surname barely a whisper.
"Excellent. And do you know where you are?"
His gaze drifted past her, taking in the sterile ceiling, the IV stand, the concerned faces of Bella and Jay hovering just beyond the medical perimeter. "Hospital," he ground out.
