Sophia POV
“Sophia—you have to let go of him.”
Matteo’s voice was uncharacteristically gentle as he pried her arms away from Alessandro. The doctors barely spared her a glance before rushing him through the emergency doors and into the OR.
Her hands clenched, fingers still tingling from holding onto his. If he didn’t make it… No. She couldn’t think that way. Alessandro was strong. He had to be okay.
“Sophia! Matteo! Thank goodness, you’re okay.”
Ellie’s voice cut through the panic clouding her thoughts, and before she could react, her stepmother’s arms were around her. A tight, warm embrace—the kind only a mother could give.
Sophia shattered.
A sob tore from her throat as she clung to Ellie, burying herself in the warmth of her embrace. Tears she hadn’t realized she was holding back
