Relief

Cynthia sat in the waiting area outside the operating theatre, her hands clasped together so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. The antiseptic smell of the hospital filled the corridor, while the rhythmic beeping of distant monitors echoed through the silence. Nurses hurried past her every few minutes, doctors discussed patients in hushed voices, and families waited with anxious expressions similar to hers.

Her eyes remained fixed on the red light above the operating theatre. Leo was inside.

The only family she had left. She closed her eyes and silently prayed, 'Please let him be okay. Please let him come back safely. Take everything from me if you have to, but don't take him,'

She hadn't eaten anything since morning. Nothing mattered except Leo.

The desperate decision that had changed her life forever. She had sold one year of her freedom.

Maybe people would judge her if they knew. Maybe they would call her shameless. But sitting outside the operating theatre today, she didn't regret it. Not for a single second. Because Leo was getting the treatment he deserved.

That was enough. A few hours later, the red light above the theatre finally switched off. Cynthia immediately stood up. The operating room doors opened, and the surgeon walked out, removing his mask.

She searched his face desperately.

Then she noticed it.

A small smile.

"The operation went very well," the doctor repeated warmly. "There were no complications. Your brother is completely stable."

A sob escaped her lips before she could stop it. Tears blurred her vision almost instantly.

"Thank you..."

"Thank you so much, doctor."

The doctor gave her a reassuring smile.

"He's a brave boy."

Cynthia nodded repeatedly.

"I know."

"When can I see him?" she asked eagerly.

"We're shifting him to his room. Once he's settled and the anesthesia begins to wear off, you can meet him."

She smiled through her tears.

"I'll wait."

Cynthia slowly sat back down.

For the first time in months, she felt as though a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

The nightmare wasn't over yet. Recovery would take time. There would be medicines, follow-up appointments, and weeks of care.

But he had survived. That was all she needed.

---

Almost an hour later, a nurse finally approached her.

"Miss Hart?"

Cynthia stood immediately.

"You can see him now."

Without wasting another second, she hurried toward Leo's room. The door was slightly open. She stepped inside quietly.

Leo lay on the hospital bed, looking pale but peaceful. Several machines surrounded him, monitoring his condition.

His eyes slowly opened when he heard the door.

"Cyn..."

His voice sounded weak.

"Hey."

"You okay?" she asked softly.

Leo gave her a tiny wink.

"I'm alive."

She laughed despite herself.

"Don't joke like that."

"I'm serious."

"You scared me enough already."

He smiled weakly.

The anesthesia still hadn't completely worn off, making his eyelids heavy. She gently brushed his messy hair way from his forehead.

Leo looked at her with innocent curiosity.

"You're staying, right?"

The question tightened her chest.

"I wish I could."

"You have to go?"

She nodded reluctantly.

"I'll come back tomorrow."

"You always say that."

"And I always keep my promises."

Leo pouted slightly.

"Stay a little longer."

She looked at the clock on the wall. Ten-thirty. Her heart skipped a beat. She was already late. Damien usually went to bed around eleven. The contract didn't specifically mention a curfew. But she knew disappearing without informing him wasn't wise.

Still... She looked back at Leo. How could she leave so soon after his surgery? She sat beside him again.

"Just for a little while."

Leo smiled happily. Little by little, his voice became softer. His eyes grew heavier. Eventually, he drifted back to sleep. Cynthia looked at the clock again.

Eleven forty-five. Her eyes widened.

"Oh no."

She quickly searched her bag for a small notebook.

Tearing out a page, she wrote neatly.

Leo,

You were sleeping, so I didn't want to wake you. I'll come tomorrow after my classes. Be good and listen to Aunt Sarah. Love you always.*

Cynthia.

She folded the note and placed it beside his pillow.

Her aunt, who worked as a hospital nurse, had promised to stay with Leo throughout the night. After thanking her once again, Cynthia hurried out of the hospital.

---

By the time she reached Blackwood Estate, it was well past midnight.

Every window on the first floor was dark. The place looked unusually quiet. She swallowed nervously. She was late.

Would Damien be angry? Would he even notice? Taking a deep breath, she walked to the entrance and pressed the doorbell.

A few moments later, footsteps echoed from inside. The lock clicked. The massive wooden door slowly opened. Cynthia expected to see William, the butler.

Instead... Damien stood before her.

She froze. He wasn't wearing one of his perfectly tailored suits tonight. Only a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms and dark trousers.

The first thing she noticed was the glass in his hand.

The second... The unmistakable scent of whiskey. His dark eyes met hers.

A deep scowl settled across his face. His hair was slightly messy, as though he'd repeatedly run his fingers through it.

"You finally decided to come back."

Cynthia suddenly felt like a child caught doing something wrong.

"I'm sorry."

"My brother's surgery..."

"I know."

She looked up in surprise.

"You know?"

He nodded without explaining further. 

"So?" he asked, "Was the surgery successful?"

For a moment, all her nervousness disappeared. A smile slowly spread across her face.

"Yes. It was successful."

Damien stared at her for several long seconds. His expression remained unreadable.

Then, without another word, he stepped aside. Cynthia quietly walked inside, unaware that he was pissed off at her.