Nikolai's heart pounded like a drum in his chest as the words left Marcus's lips, a rush of adrenaline surging through his veins. Isabella was awake. It was the news he had been desperately waiting for, a flicker of hope in what had felt like an eternity of uncertainty.Every step he took towards that room was a battle against time and fear. His mind raced, a thousand thoughts colliding in a chaotic whirlwind. What if she didn't remember him? What if she was in pain? What if she was scared and alone? The weight of anticipation bore down on his shoulders, threatening to crush him.For the past week, he had existed in a state of perpetual anxiety. He couldn't bring himself to eat a proper meal, the fear that she might awaken in his absence gnawing at him like a relentless beast. Instead, he ha
