CHAPTER 345: CHAPTER 345 WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

She turned toward the door. She could already see Julian’s silhouette standing up when he saw her. She forced a small, brave smile for him, because she knew they both needed to believe it would be okay.

And deep in her heart, Ruby promised herself she would stay by Milo’s side every single step, no matter how long it took, until that sweet smile of his shone bright again without pain.

Ruby stepped out of the healer’s small office, the paper still clutched in her trembling hand. The hallway lights felt harsh and cold on her face, and for a moment she wished she could hide the worry that clung to her eyes.

Julian was there waiting, just as she knew he would be.

When he saw Ruby, he pushed away from the wall quickly. "What did she say?" he asked, his voice low but shaky. He searched her face like he was looking for some sign that she would smile and say everything was fine. "Tell me he’s okay, wife. Tell me it was just... just fainting, right?"

Ruby’s lips parted, but the words caught for a second. She hated how his eyes held onto her so desperately. She wished she could lie to him, say yes, say it’s nothing, say he’ll be home tomorrow.

But she couldn’t lie to him.

She stepped closer and reached for his hand, curling her fingers around his cold ones. "Jules... the healer said... it’s not just fainting. It’s his heart. There’s a hole in it. He... he needs surgery."

She felt Julian flinch, like the words struck him physically. His mouth opened, but no sound came out right away. He squeezed her hand tighter, his eyes shining with sudden tears.

"Surgery?" he repeated, voice small, as if he needed to taste the word to believe it. "So... he’s really... it’s serious?"

Ruby nodded, her own throat tight. "They have to keep him here for a while. They need to make him stronger first before they can do it. He’ll be okay—he has to be but he needs time. And care. And rest."

Julian’s shoulders slumped, his free hand covering his mouth for a moment. Ruby saw how his eyes lost that desperate hope all at once, replaced with quiet fear and worry so deep it made her chest ache.

She stepped closer, pulling him into her arms, pressing her cheek to his shoulder just like she had before. "He’ll be okay," she whispered, her voice steady for him because she knew he needed it. "We’ll take care of him, Jules. All of us. We’ll do everything we have to do."

Julian’s arms wrapped around her slowly, holding her tight, as if her words were the only thing keeping him upright.

As Ruby held Julian close in that quiet hallway, the weight of everything they’d just heard pressed on them like a heavy blanket. She could feel his chest rise and fall unevenly, feel the warmth of his breath as he buried his face against her shoulder. She didn’t want to move ye she wanted to stay right there for him, for herself, for the promise that they’d be strong together.

But then the soft squeak of rubber type shoes echoed down the hallway. A young nurse approached, her voice gentle but clear. "Miss Ruby? Mr. Julian?" She gave them a small, warm smile that felt like a tiny light in the cold hall. "Patient is awake now. You can see him."

Julian lifted his head so quickly Ruby could see how red his eyes were. She nodded at the nurse, her chest tight. She squeezed Julian’s hand once before letting go and walked toward the room. Julian followed a step behind, quiet but close enough that she could feel the warmth of him like a shield on her back.

The door opened with a soft click. The smell of antiseptic was stronger inside, mixing with the low sound of machines. And there he was—Milo lying in the white hospital bed. His hair was a little messy against the pillow, his skin pale and fragile under the harsh lights. A thin blanket was tucked around him all the way to his shoulders.

When he turned his head and saw them, his eyes lit up just a little, the same warm softness that always melted their hearts. He blinked slowly, like waking from a long, strange dream.

"Wife... Julian..." he whispered, his voice scratchy and weak, but so sweet it made Ruby’s eyes sting. "Why... am I here? What... happened to me?"

Ruby stepped to his bedside and gently brushed a bit of hair off his forehead. She tried to keep her smile steady, but it trembled at the edges. "You fainted, sweetheart... at the festival. You scared all of us so badly. So we brought you here."

Milo’s eyes widened just a little, confusion flickering over his tired face. "Did I... ruin the festival?" he asked, his lips pulling into a guilty pout. "I didn’t... mean to. I was just... dancing..."

Hearing him say that so innocently, like he was worried about the smallest thing—Julian’s breath hitched. He reached out and rested his palm over Milo’s hand, his thumb tracing small circles over the bandage on his wrist. "You didn’t ruin anything, Milo," he said, his voice gentle. "You scared us, that’s all. You don’t ever have to say sorry for that."

Milo blinked again, his lashes fluttering. His eyes drifted between Ruby and Julian, a tiny, tired smile tugging at his lips. "Wife... did I do bad...?"

Ruby leaned down and pressed her forehead softly against his, her fingers trembling as she cupped his cheek. "No, sweetheart. You didn’t do bad. You did so, so well. You’re so brave. You’re the bravest one of all of us."

Milo’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye, and Ruby brushed it away with her thumb. Julian leaned down too, pressing a soft kiss to Milo’s temple, his own eyes glassy.

"But... what happened to me?" Milo asked softly, his voice no louder than a shaky whisper. He looked at Ruby with that same innocent worry that made her chest ache.

—To be continued...🪄