The flight back home was tense and silent. Jade sat in her seat, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, staring out the window at the endless sky. Her mind raced with worry for her grandmother, her chest heavy with the weight of uncertainty.
Enzo sat across from her, his dark eyes studying her. Milan was engrossed in his tablet, though his occasional glances in her direction didn’t go unnoticed. Thiago leaned back in his chair, uncharacteristically quiet, his usual smirk replaced with a contemplative frown.
Jade exhaled shakily, her fingers tapping nervously on the armrest.
“You’re going to wear a hole in that seat,” Thiago said softly, breaking the silence.
Jade turned to him, her expression hard. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”
“We know,” Enzo said, his tone unusually gentle. “But stressing yourself out won’t help her, Jade.”
“I can’t help it,” Jade snapped, her voice trembling. “She’s all I have, and I don’t even know if she’s okay. What if something happens while I’m stuck here, thousands of feet in the air?”
Milan set his tablet down, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. “She’s in the best hands possible. You made sure of that. Panicking won’t change anything.”
Jade glared at him, tears welling in her eyes. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who might lose someone you love.”
Milan’s expression softened, and he leaned forward, his voice quiet but firm. “You’re not alone in this, Jade. We’ll make sure she gets everything she needs.”
Thiago reached over, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “He’s right. Whatever it takes, we’ll handle it. Just breathe.”
Jade closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. She wanted to believe them, but the knot in her chest refused to loosen.
When they landed, a car was already waiting for them. Jade wasted no time, barely acknowledging the driver as she climbed into the back seat. The men followed without question, their earlier lightheartedness replaced with quiet resolve.
The ride to the hospital felt endless. Jade tapped her foot anxiously, her gaze fixed on the passing streets.
“Relax, Jade,” Enzo said, his voice low. “We’ll be there soon.”
“I can’t,” she muttered. “Not until I see her.”
Milan, seated beside her, pulled out his phone. “I’ve already contacted the hospital director. They’ll have the best specialists on her case.”
Jade looked at him, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you matter,” Milan replied simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
When they arrived at the hospital, Jade practically ran through the doors, her heels clicking loudly against the tiled floor. The men followed closely behind, their presence commanding enough that the nurses didn’t stop them from heading straight to the room.
Jade froze when she stepped inside. Her grandmother lay motionless in the hospital bed, her face pale and peaceful, the rhythmic beeping of the machines the only sign of life.
“She’s in a coma,” a soft voice said from behind her. Jade turned to see a doctor entering the room, his expression kind but serious.
“A coma?” Jade repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor nodded. “She experienced a severe drop in blood pressure, which likely led to a lack of oxygen to the brain. We’ve stabilized her for now, but she hasn’t regained consciousness.”
Jade’s knees buckled, and Thiago was at her side instantly, steadying her.
“What are her chances?” Milan asked, his tone even but sharp.
“It’s hard to say,” the doctor replied carefully. “We’re running more tests to determine the extent of the damage.”
Jade sank into the chair beside the bed, her hand trembling as she reached out to hold her grandmother’s. “She was fine yesterday,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “How did this happen?”
The doctor hesitated. “It could have been a combination of factors—her age, underlying conditions, stress. We’ll know more soon.”
“Do whatever it takes,” Milan said, stepping forward. “Money isn’t an issue.”
The doctor nodded, glancing at Jade. “We’ll keep you updated.”