Page 69 of Secret Bratva Twins

The door to the exam room opens, and Chiara steps out. Her face is pale, her hands trembling as she clutches them to her chest. She looks at me, and for a moment, I see something in her eyes that I don’t recognize—fear.

“He’s burning up,” she says, her voice cracking. “The doctor says he has a fever. What if—”

I close the distance between us quickly, handing Alyssa to one of the nurses who’s been hovering nearby. Before Chiara can spiral further, I take her hands in mine, squeezing them gently but firmly.

“Chiara,” I say, my voice calm but unyielding. “Nothing will happen to him. Do you hear me?”

She looks at me, her breathing uneven, and shakes her head. “But what if—”

“No,” I interrupt, pulling her closer. “Look at me.”

Her eyes lock on to mine, wide and filled with tears.

“Leo is strong. He’s going to be fine,” I say, each word deliberate. “I promise you. Nothing will happen to him.”

She lets out a shaky breath, her body trembling as she leans into me. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly. “I’ve got you,” I murmur, my voice softening. “We’ll get through this together.”

For a moment, she clings to me, her head resting against my chest. It’s the first time I’ve seen her so vulnerable, and it stirs something deep inside me—a need to protect her, to take her fear and make it my own.

The doctor emerges then, clipboard in hand, his expression calm but focused. I feel Chiara stiffen in my arms, and I keep one hand on her shoulder as we step forward.

“How is he?” I ask, my voice steady despite the tension coiling in my chest.

The doctor gives a reassuring smile. “He’s going to be alright,” he says. “His arm is fractured, but it’s not a severe break. A cast will help it heal quickly.”

Chiara exhales sharply, her grip on my arm tightening. “And the fever?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s likely a bug,” the doctor explains. “His temperature was high enough to make him dizzy, which could have caused his fall. We’ve given him something to bring it down, and he’s responding well. He’ll need rest and fluids, but there’s no cause for alarm.”

The weight in my chest eases, but Chiara’s shoulders remain tense. I glance at her, the relief in her expression tempered by lingering worry.

“Can we see him?” she asks, her voice soft but urgent.

“Of course,” the doctor says. “He’s already asking for you both.”

I nod, thanking the doctor before guiding Chiara back into the room. Alyssa follows close behind, her little hand slipping into mine as we step inside.

Leo looks small in the hospital bed, his arm now in a bright blue cast and a soft blanket tucked up to his chest. His cheeks are flushed from the fever, but his eyes light up when he sees us.

“Mama! Papa!” he says, his voice hoarse but excited.

Chiara rushes to his side, kneeling by the bed and stroking his hair. “I’m here, sweetheart,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” he says, though he looks drowsy. “The doctor said I get to keep this.” He holds up his cast, his small smile making my chest tighten.

Alyssa climbs onto the bed carefully, sitting beside him and pointing at his cast. “It’s blue! That’s my favorite color!”

“It’s my favorite now too,” Leo replies with a tired grin.

Chiara presses a kiss to his forehead, her hand lingering on his cheek as though she needs the reassurance of his warmth. I step closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“See?” I say softly, meeting her gaze. “He’s already bouncing back.”

She nods, though her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “I was so scared,” she admits quietly.

“I know,” I reply, my voice steady. “He’s alright. You both are.”

We stay with Leo for a while, Alyssa chattering softly to keep him entertained while Chiara remains by his side. Herworry eases little by little, replaced by the fierce determination I’ve come to admire in her.

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