"Grandma, don't talk like that. I haven't even spoken to the doctor yet," Lucien said, tightening his grip on her frail hands as if that alone could anchor her to him.
"Sir, I'll have to ask you to step outside," a nurse interjected gently.
Lucien looked up. "Why?"
"Since your grandmother has just been admitted, we need to run a series of tests," the nurse explained in a respectful tone. "I'll call you back in once we've taken the necessary samples."
Lucien hesitated, his thumb brushing over Azalea's knuckles one last time before he slowly released her. With visible reluctance, he stepped back and left the ward.
The moment the door closed behind him, he raked a hand through his hair, pacing the hallway. His mind swirled with his grandmother's words. The thought that his grandmother's life might be slipping away gnawed at him deeply.
Lucien froze mid-step when he saw his aunt, Fleur, walking toward him. The tension in his chest tightened.
"Aunt… is it true?" he asked.
