They had to wait another hour before the doctor came out again, and this time she wore a smile that reassured everyone.

“Mr. Elliot Davis is out of danger,” she announced, and not knowing how, Andrew found himself hugging the Bennets with relief—both Bennets!—while wiping away tears.

“Let's get some coffee.” Layla dragged him out of there, and Nick sat down in one of the stiff chairs, his head in his hands.

“Would you like to come in and see your wife?” asked the doctor, and Nick automatically raised his head.

“Y-yes, please.”

The doctor led him to a private room where Valeria was resting, and Nick felt something snap inside him as soon as the woman closed the door. He covered his mouth with one hand, but couldn't hold back the sobbing as he approached Valeria's bed.

He sat down next to her, pushing aside a lock of hair that fell over her face, and let out all the despair he had felt in the last few hours. Never in his entire life had he experienced such panic, and while he was a