Lena covered her face, tears slipping through her fingers as her voice broke. "She's gone," she whispered. "She has… long left this world."
Grant stood like he'd been turned to stone. His eyes looked empty, like his mind was somewhere else, stuck in a moment he couldn't undo. Then he lifted his hand and hit himself hard, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
"This is my fault," he said hoarsely. "Not hers. I failed you… and I failed our daughter."
The scent of his regret filled the air, thick and bitter.
Lewis shifted restlessly beside the bed, his shoulders tight. Even without raising his voice, his presence pressed down like dominance in a crowded room. He was worried, and it showed in the way his jaw stayed clenched.
"Lena," he said, trying to keep his tone steady, "I understand your pain. But right now, the only thing we can do is keep her body here. We can't let her be separated from Elena for too long. If the separation lasts, it could cause more problems."
