Inside the hospital, the harsh white light above the operating room doors burned relentlessly, the red indicator still glowing to show that surgery was ongoing. It had been like that for what felt like an eternity. Every second stretched as everyone's fear grew.
Irama and Elian were still inside.
Outside, in the narrow hallway, Hirvan sat slumped in a chair, his body curled inward as if trying to disappear. Lu Hanbing stood close, one arm wrapped tightly around him, holding him upright when Hirvan no longer seemed capable of doing so himself. Hirvan's face was pale, drained of colour, his red hair damp with sweat and tears clinging messily to his forehead. His hands trembled violently, fingers clenched into the fabric of Lu Hanbing's shirt like a lifeline.
