SERAPHINA "SERA" MORTEZ'S POINT OF VIEW
My heart hammers against my ribs as we step into the hospital, my sons' small hands wrapped tight around my fingers. They walk quiet beside me-eyes wide with curiosity, but their shoulders slightly hunched, picking up the worry that's been coiled in my gut all morning.
We head straight to the information desk, my breath coming fast as I lean over the counter.
"Good morning. Could you tell me which room Mercy Angeles is in?"
"Just a moment." She flips through a logbook, her finger tracing down the pages. After a beat, she looks up.
"Room 201, Building Five—second floor."
"Thank you." I turn to my boys, squeezing their hands gently. "You two okay?"
They beam up at me, smiles bright enough to cut through the hospital's sharp, clean smell.
"Piece of cake, mom!" Leo says, giving me a thumbs-up.
"Yup, yup!" Rio chimes in, copying his brother's gesture.
I grin back. "Let's go, then-it's a bit of a walk."
