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The entire ride to the hospital, I kept my eyes on my broken Angel in my arms, waiting for any sign of life.

I caressed her cold, pale skin, wishing for her eyes to open from my touch. But they didn’t. At certain points, my hold on her became so tight that I had to loosen my grip. I was hanging on by a thread, hoping she would stir, anything to give me peace of mind that she was going to be okay. But nothing.

Fucking nothing.

“Everything is set,” Lo said, ending the call and slipping his phone into his pocket. “Jacobi and Emillia are waiting for you on the second floor of the parking garage.”

I nodded. As the chief of the hospital, Jacobi understood the importance of keeping our arrangements under wraps, and I trusted him to handle things the right way.

“And the guards?” I asked, my gaze fixed on Gigi.

“The guards are in place, just like you requested,” Lo replied.

“Good,” I said.

When the car stopped, Alphonse opened the door and said, “I’ll come around to you.”

I didn’t acknowledge him but returned my gaze to my girl. “You’re safe, baby.” I leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead.

Matteo stepped out of the car and rounded the vehicle to Luca’s side.

When the door opened, Alphonse held his arms out. “I understand your pain,” he rasped, “but I’ll hold her until you climb out of the car. And I’ll give her right back.”

Hesitantly, I gritted my teeth, but I understood where he was coming from. This was his little girl. A daughter he never knew he had but still loved with all his heart.

Reluctantly, I gave him a curt nod and handed my girl to him. He pulled her close and whispered, “Mybambina. I love you so much.”

As soon as I stepped out, I quickly grabbed her from him but not before he placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

I turned to Matteo. “Take Luca to get his leg checked out.”

Matteo wrapped his arms around Luca’s waist, steadying him as he winced in pain. “Already planned on it,” he replied.

We moved quickly toward the elevator in the parking garage, where Emillia stood, flanked by two guards, her eyes red-rimmed and brimming with unshed tears.

“Her room is ready,” Emillia said softly as she took in Gigi’s state.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

We stepped into the elevator, and I cradled Gigi closer to my chest. I watched the numbers light up, the elevator climbing slowly, each beep echoing my rising anxiety.

The door dinged open, and two additional guards stood watch as we stepped out onto the floor.

“Which room?” I asked Emillia.

“It’s the fourth door on the right,” she replied.

I followed her down the corridor to the private room, where two more guards were stationed outside.

I turned to Alphonse, who was glaring at the collar wrapped around Gigi’s neck. “I’ll find something to take that off,” he growled, his hands clenched into fists as he stalked away.

I stepped into the room, gently laying Gigi on the bed, trying to handle her fragile form with care.

There was a soft knock at the door. I looked up to see Jacobi with his nurse in tow.

“Come in.”

The nurse pushed a cart with an ultrasound machine and other supplies into the room. I turned my attention back to Gigi, who lay there as if in a deep sleep. “Hello, Nico,” Jacobi greeted me.