Chapter 611

A sliver of golden morning light slipped quietly through the gap in the curtains of the Marigoldia International Hospital's children's ward.

The light, like a gentle hand, softly brushed across Zoey's tired face, waking her from a light sleep.

She blinked her sore eyes and immediately looked down at the small figure nestled in her arms. Travis was curled up against her, his little face still flushed from sleep, his eyelashes casting delicate shadows in the morning light.

One of Travis's small hands clung tightly to Zoey's shirt, even in his sleep, as if afraid she might disappear again.

Zoey carefully pulled her numb arm out from under him and gently laid Travis on the cot beside her.

Travis mumbled in his sleep, turned over, and fell back into a deep slumber.

Zoey leaned down and kissed his forehead, then turned to the hospital bed in the center of the room.

Gabriel lay quietly under the white sheets, looking even smaller than usual.

The bandage on his head was stark white in the morning light, but Zoey was relieved to see that Gabriel's complexion had improved since last night. His lips had regained a faint pink hue instead of the heartbreaking pallor they had before.

She tiptoed to the bedside and touched Gabriel's forehead. His temperature was normal, with no signs of a fever.

This simple action made Zoey's eyes well up with tears. The terrifying memories of last night flooded back: Gabriel's pale face, lifelessly leaning against Henry's shoulder, the doctors' grave expressions.

"Gabriel slept really well."

A deep voice came from behind her. Zoey turned to see Henry rising from the sofa in the corner of the room and walking toward her.

Henry's eyes were bloodshot, and a layer of stubble covered his chin, evidence of a sleepless night.

But as he reached Zoey, he gave her a reassuring smile and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Joseph checked on Gabriel twice during the night. All his vitals are stable," Henry said softly, not wanting to wake the children. "Gabriel's going to be okay."

Zoey leaned into Henry's embrace, feeling the warmth and steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

This moment of peace was so precious, as if yesterday's nightmare had already faded away.

Outside, the seabirds of Marigoldia began their morning calls, and the sound of waves gently lapping the shore could be heard in the distance. The world continued to turn.

"Mom, Dad." A weak but clear voice came from the hospital bed.

Zoey and Henry turned simultaneously to see Gabriel's eyes open, looking at them with a slightly confused expression.

Gabriel's eyes were especially bright and clear in the morning light.

"Sweetheart, you're awake!" Zoey immediately bent over the bed, resisting the urge to hug Gabriel tightly for fear of hurting him. "Does your head still hurt?"

Gabriel nodded slightly, then shook his head. "It hurts a little, but not as much as yesterday."

His voice was still sleepy but much stronger than it had been last night.

Henry's large hand gently covered Gabriel's small one. "I'll go get Joseph to check on you, okay?"

Gabriel obediently nodded, then turned his gaze to the cot where Travis was still sleeping. "Is Travis okay?"

Zoey's heart warmed. Even while injured and lying in a hospital bed, Gabriel's first concern was for Travis.

"Travis just has a few scrapes. The doctor said he's as strong as a little tiger," Zoey replied softly, gently smoothing Gabriel's hair.

Henry quietly left the room to find Joseph.

Zoey poured a glass of water and helped Gabriel take a few sips.

Gabriel winced slightly as he swallowed, making Zoey's heart ache, but she forced herself to smile, not wanting Gabriel to see her worry.

"Mom," Gabriel suddenly whispered, "I had a dream. I dreamed that Travis and I were in that dark house again, but this time Dad came really fast and chased the bad guys away."

Zoey's throat tightened. She gently held Gabriel's small hand. "That wasn't a dream, sweetheart. Dad really did chase the bad guys away. You're safe now."

As they spoke, Travis stirred on the cot, then suddenly sat up, his eyes half-closed as he called out, "Gabriel!"

"Travis, I'm here," Gabriel immediately responded, his voice a bit louder than before.

Travis jumped off the cot, ran barefoot to Gabriel's bedside, and carefully climbed onto the chair next to the bed. "Gabriel, does it hurt? Is your head still dizzy? Do you want some water? Or candy? The nurse gave me two pieces."

Usually, Gabriel would get impatient with Travis's barrage of questions.

But today, he was unusually patient, answering each one. "It hurts a little, I'm not dizzy anymore, I just had some water, and I don't want candy right now."

Zoey watched her two sons interact, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.

This frightening experience seemed to have strengthened the bond between Gabriel and Travis.

Travis reached out and gently touched the bandage on Gabriel's head, then quickly pulled his hand back as if he'd been burned, his big eyes filling with tears. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't moved around so much..."

"It's not your fault, Travis," Gabriel interrupted, his tone firm, not like a three-year-old at all. "It's the bad guys' fault. And," he hesitated, then added softly, "you were really brave when you bit that bad woman."

Travis's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to say something, the door to the room opened, and Henry walked in with Joseph and a local doctor.

"Our little warrior is awake?" Joseph smiled as he approached the bed.

He was wearing a white coat, with faint dark circles under his eyes, clearly having had little rest.

As one of the top neurosurgeons in the country and an old friend of the Windsor family, Joseph had stayed at the hospital overnight to monitor Gabriel for any sudden changes.

Dr. Rajiv from Marigoldia also came in, holding a chart and a small flashlight.

The two doctors began a thorough examination of Gabriel, testing his pupil response, limb movement, and cognitive functions.

Gabriel followed their instructions, only crying out softly when the examination touched his wound.

"He's recovering well," Joseph finally announced, exchanging a confirming glance with Dr. Rajiv. "Pupil response is normal, no signs of nausea or vomiting, and cognitive tests are all clear. But to be safe, we should observe him for another 24 hours."

Zoey finally exhaled, her shoulders relaxing for the first time in days.

Henry's hand rested on her shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze, silently offering comfort.

"Can I play with Travis now?" Gabriel asked eagerly, his eyes darting between the two doctors.