Hospitals had a way of stripping people down.
⸻
No titles.
No power.
No control.
⸻
Just waiting.
⸻
Aaron stood outside the ICU, staring through the glass.
⸻
Machines.
Wires.
Stillness.
⸻
His grandfather—Edward Blackwood—lay unmoving.
⸻
The man who had built everything.
⸻
The man who had raised him.
⸻
Reduced to silence.
⸻
A doctor stepped out.
⸻
“Mr. Blackwood,” he said gently.
⸻
Aaron turned immediately.
⸻
“His condition is critical, but stable for now,” the doctor continued.
⸻
“We’ve done what we can. The next 24 hours are important.”
⸻
Aaron nodded once.
⸻
“Can I see him?”
⸻
The doctor hesitated, then stepped aside.
⸻
“Briefly.”
⸻
⸻
Inside—
The room felt smaller.
⸻
Quieter.
⸻
Aaron walked closer to the bed.
⸻
For a moment—
He didn’t recog
