When the nurse finally informed them that Sofia had been transferred to her suite, Adam felt his knees weaken in relief. The walk from the waiting area to her room felt longer than any journey he had ever taken. Carla clung to his hand the entire way, her small fingers gripping tightly as if she could sense the weight of her father's heart.
The soft click of the door opening revealed a room filled with warmth and quiet. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting in the late afternoon sunlight that painted golden lines across the floor. Sofia lay on the bed, pale but peaceful, her hair spread like silk over the pillow. The faint hum of the monitor beside her was the most beautiful sound Adam had ever heard.
