Chapter 132

Helen sat in the sterile, bright waiting area of the hospital, her mind a jumble of worry and fear. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, casting an unnatural pallor over everything. Her hands gripped a small, worn-out clutch she had managed to keep with her, though it now felt like a lifeline to a world that seemed distant and unrecognizable.

Time dragged on, each tick of the clock on the wall amplifying her anxiety. Nurses and doctors moved in and out, their faces a mix of professional detachment and concealed empathy. Helen's gaze darted to every new arrival, hoping for any sign, any news about Davin. The seconds felt like minutes, and minutes like hours.

Her thoughts drifted back to the harrowing moments before the ambulance arrived. Davin’s condition had been dire, his breathing ragged and his face pale against the darkened backdrop of the street. The young woman who had helped her, though a stranger, had been a beacon of hope. Helen had caught her name Laura as she answere