TWENTY THREE
Everyone rushed to Marco's side as his mother gently helped him sit up on the hospital bed. Her hands trembled, but she managed to steady him, her face a mixture of joy and worry.
"Oh my goodness, my son! Thank God you're awake," she gasped, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she caressed his face. "What would I have done without you?" Her words came out choked, her relief palpable.
Her trembling hand reached to cup his cheek, and for a brief moment, her joy overwhelmed the room. But the tension still lingered, thick and unspoken.
"You really scared me to death, Marco." Her voice wavered, and as she wiped away her tears, her gaze shifted from him to Leo, standing nearby. Marco followed her eyes, and when he locked ont
