The ICU room had transformed from a place of fear to one of cautious celebration over the past twenty-four hours. Dario had begun showing more consistent signs of waking. The doctors had reduced the sedation further, and his responses to our voices had grown stronger. I sat beside his bed, my hand in his, watching his face for any movement. My parents and Victoria remained close, their support a steady presence through the long vigil. The security detail continued their vigilant watch outside the room, turning away persistent reporters and ensuring the family had the privacy we needed.
My mother had just returned from speaking with the nurses, bringing fresh tea and a quiet determination. “The doctors say he is responding well to the changes. The latest scans show the swelling has decreas
