NICKOLAS’ POV:
My heart was pounding as I carried Eleanor in my arms, her body limp, her skin pale against the dull morning light. Her head rested against my chest, and I could feel the tremble in her breathing—the way her fingers twitched, like she was fighting something in her sleep.
No. Not sleep.
She had collapsed.
And all I could think was—I should’ve protected her.
“Someone help!” I barked as I pushed through the hospital entrance. “She passed out!”
Nurses came rushing toward me like a blur, two of them grabbing the gurney and guiding me to lay her down. I didn’t want to let go. It felt wrong, unnatural—even though I knew they were trying to help her.
“She was conscious just a minute ago,” I said, my voice hoarse. “She said she wasn’t feeling well and then just… dropped.”
“Si
