Maddie's POV
The sterile scent of the hospital engulfed me as I stepped into Mariko's room, my heart heavy with worry. The harsh lighting accentuated the bruises on Mariko's face, his features marred by the brutality of the attack. I couldn't contain the gasp that escaped my lips, the sight of him battered and bruised striking me with an intensity that words could not convey.
Reggie and my father followed me into the room, their expressions mirroring my own distress. Mariko lay there, seemingly oblivious to our presence, still lost in the quiet sanctuary of unconsciousness. I approached the bedside, my hand trembling as I reached out to gently touch Mariko's uninjured arm.
"Oh, Mariko," I whispered, the words catching in my throat. His face, usually adorned with a warm smile, was now a
