'She is just a little girl. How will she bear all this pain?' Lucas's thoughts ran wild when a nurse appeared at the door, calling him out before stepping into the ward.
"It's time for surgery. Everything's prepared. Are you ready, Rachel?"
Rachel nodded with a bright smile. 'How could this girl smile in such a moment?' Bella was startled from her daze when Rachel called her name. She quickly stood, forcing herself to stay strong as Rachel was wheeled into the operating theater.
The moment the doors shut, silence swallowed her whole. Alone, with no one to share her worries, Bella sat on the bench outside, her eyes fixed on nothing. Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked, her hands limp in her lap. She didn't bother wiping them away—her thoughts were too heavy, too uncertain about what awaited them. Lucas arrived quietly and sat beside her.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "She will be fine. She's a strong kid, Bella."
He handed her his handkerchief, and when she lifted her teary gaze toward him, his chest tightened. Before he could think twice, he wrapped his arms around her. The hug was instinctive, but it felt right.
Too lost in her own grief to resist, Bella leaned into him. She just needed someone—anyone—to be there. And right now, that someone was him.
He stroked her back gently, murmuring words of comfort. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to her."
In the past, Bella might have rejected anyone's sympathy, but in this moment, she clung to his words. They didn't sound like pity. They were strength, borrowed just when she needed it most.
His shirt grew damp beneath her tears, but he didn't move. Every shudder that wracked her body made his own chest ache. Why did her pain cut so deeply into him? He didn't know—he just knew he couldn't let her carry it alone.
Gradually, her sobs quieted, then stopped altogether. When he looked down, he found her fast asleep against his shoulder—stress and exhaustion finally pulling her under. Carefully, he adjusted her head to a more comfortable position, letting her rest against him. She looked so vulnerable, and it stirred something in him he wasn't ready to name.
Two long hours passed without a word from inside. Bella suddenly stirred awake and sat up, blinking.
"How long…?" she asked, blinking groggily.
"Almost two hours," he said.
Her eyes widened. "Two hours and still no news?"
He shook his head, and she straightened again, restless with worry.
"Wait here for me," he said gently. "I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
She nodded reluctantly. Not long after, a nurse finally appeared, and Bella rushed to her.
"How is my daughter?"
"Don't worry, she's fine for now. Her condition is stable. Excuse me."
Relief washed over Bella as she sank back onto the bench. A few minutes later, Lucas returned with a paper bag and placed it in her hands.
"Here," he said, handing it to her. "You need to eat."
She shook her head. "I can't. Not while she's in there."
"You can," he insisted. "It's past lunch. If you collapse, how will you take care of her?"
He nudged the bag closer until she reluctantly took it. He was right. If something happened to her, who will take care of Rachel. After a pause, she glanced at him. "You haven't eaten either, have you?"
He gave a half-smile. "Not since breakfast."
"Then share this with me. It's too much for me alone."
He gave her a small smile. "Thanks for offering, but I bought it for you. You must be exhausted. You need it more than I do."
Bella narrowed her eyes. "And you don't? Lucas, you're human, too. You can't just—" She broke off, her voice wavering with both anger and concern.
Her words struck deeper than he expected. They were simple, but still they carried warmth he hadn't expected. He wasn't used to being cared for. He wasn't used to anyone noticing the little cracks. Yet here she was, worried about him even in the middle of her storm. She was reminding him that he deserved care too. And strangely, it felt natural—like they had known each other for years, even though they'd only just begun.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "You eat too."
They ate in silence, each lost in their thoughts, until another hour slipped by.
"It's taking so long," Bella whispered, fidgeting. "Do you think something went wrong?"
"Why would you think that? Everything will—"
The door creaked open, and both of them froze. The doctor walked out, and Bella nearly tripped in her haste to reach him.
"Doctor! Please—what happened?"
The doctor's face softened. "Don't worry. The surgery was successful. She's fine now."
Relief crashed into Bella's chest so hard her knees almost buckled. "Is she awake? Can I see her?"
"She's still unconscious. We'll move her to her room, then you can be with her."
"Thank you," she whispered, her tears finally breaking into a shaky smile.
The doctor turned to Lucas. "You must be the father. Come with me, I'll explain her medication."
Bella's head snapped up, her mouth already open to correct him—but Lucas beat her to it.
"Of course," he said smoothly.
Her eyes widened. What did he just— She glared at him, her expression screaming, Care to explain, mister?
Leaning closer, Lucas whispered, "Stay with Rachel. She needs you more. I'll get the prescriptions and explain everything later, okay?"
Bella wanted to argue, but the sincerity in his tone stopped her. For now.
Minutes later, Rachel was wheeled back into her room. Pale, still, but alive. Bella's heart swelled as she leaned over her daughter, brushing hair from her forehead, tucking the blanket around her small frame.
"My brave girl," she whispered with a smile.
Lucas watched quietly from the side. Just hours ago, she'd been broken in tears, but now her face glowed with love and relief. He wondered how the same woman could hold so much pain and strength at once. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight eased him too.
Rachel stirred faintly in her sleep, letting out a small snort. Bella chuckled and adjusted the blanket again, her expression tender. For the first time since morning, the weight on his chest finally loosened.