Selene's POV
The hospital was quieter than usual, the fluorescent lights above humming a steady rhythm as I walked down the corridor with a clipboard tucked under my arm. It had been a week since Victor's sentencing—a week of silence, reflection, and late-night calls with Antonio that kept me grounded during exhausting shifts. Tonight, however, carried a peculiar kind of anticipation.
I had been assigned to a new patient—Mr. Lorenzo Reyes.
The surname tugged at my memory: Reyes. Antonio's family name.
Curious, I walked into the room only to find a familiar face already there—Devina Reyes, Antonio's mother—dressed in hospital scrubs. My heart did a quick somersault.
"You're working… here?" I blinked, caught off guard.
She gave me a warm smile and nodded. "Part-time assistant shift. I thought I'd keep myself busy while Lorenzo recovers, and…" she paused, stepping beside me, "maybe keep an eye on you too."
A playful wink followed, and I couldn't help the blush that warmed my cheeks.
On the hospital bed, Mr. Lorenzo peered at me, then at Devina. "This her?" he asked gruffly.
Devina nodded, proud. "The one and only."
"You're Selene, huh?" His eyes narrowed, then softened slightly. "Well, at least my nephew didn't mess this one up. You've got kind eyes."
I smiled, gently checking his IV. "Thank you, Mr. Reyes. I'll be in charge of your night care."
Devina stood beside me with a tablet, already in rhythm with my routine. "And I'll be assisting, if you don't mind," she added lightly, glancing at me.
"It's an honor," I said, surprised—and touched.
We worked together like gears clicking into place. She took vitals and helped adjust Lorenzo's position while I noted his meds and symptoms. Between tasks, we exchanged soft smiles and shared easy conversation, the kind that gently closed the gaps between generations.
Later that evening, as Lorenzo dozed and the monitors beeped a steady lullaby, Devina leaned over and whispered, "He's been talking about you every single day, you know. You've made him happier than I've ever seen."
I looked at her, eyes misting. "He's made me feel like I finally belong."
And in that moment—working side-by-side with Antonio's mother, caring for his family—I realized I wasn't just a visitor in his world anymore.
I was part of it.