Chapter 126 A Slow-Moving Nightmare
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Six
Valenticia’s POV
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing nonstop. The moment I saw the clinic’s number on the screen, my stomach dropped. My hands shook as I answered.
“Hello?”
A nurse spoke fast. “Miss Valenticia, your grandmother didn’t respond well to her morning check. You need to come now.”
My heart slammed in my chest. “What do you mean she didn’t respond? What happened?”
“She is breathing, but she’s not waking up properly. Please hurry.”
“I’m coming!”
I hung up and rushed to grab my clothes. My fingers kept fumbling. I could barely think. My chest felt tight, and my breaths came out short. I ran out of the house without even brushing my hair.
On the way to my car, my hands shook so badly I dropped my keys twice. I was breathing fast and trying not to cry.
I got into my car and reached for my phone again. I dialed Stefan’s number out of instinct. It rang once.
And I froze.
Images flashed in my head—his angry face, his jealous questions, the tension between us, the shouting. My thumb hovered over the screen.
“No,” I whispered. “Not him.”
I ended the call before he picked up.
Then I pressed another number.
Dimitri.
The moment he answered, I broke. “Dimitri… please… I need you,” I said, my voice cracking hard. “It’s Nona. Something happened.”
“I’m coming,” he said without hesitation. “Where are you?”
“On my way to the clinic.”
“I’ll meet you there. Don’t drive too fast.”
“I can’t think,” I whispered.
“I’ll be there. Just breathe, Val.”
I hung up and forced myself to drive.
When I reached the clinic, Dimitri was already outside waiting. He must have rushed like crazy to get here. The moment I stepped out of the car, he walked straight to me.
He didn’t ask any questions. He just reached for my hand and said softly, “Come. Let’s go inside.”
His hand was warm. Mine felt like ice.
We walked into the clinic together, and he guided me straight to the doctor’s office, supporting me with his arm around me because my legs felt weak.
The doctor came out after a few minutes. “Miss Valenticia?”
“Yes?” I answered quickly.
“Your grandmother’s heart rhythm is unstable again. We are trying to control it, but she is not fully responsive.”
My lips trembled. “Is she going to be okay?”
“We don’t know yet. But we need to monitor her closely.”
My body started shaking. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to breathe. The doctor stepped aside as a nurse rushed by.
I turned into Dimitri’s chest without thinking as my legs almost gave out.
“I can’t lose her,” I whispered in panic. “Please, I can’t lose her…”
“I know,” Dimitri whispered. He wrapped both arms around me and held me tight. “You’re not alone. I’m here. I won’t leave.”
I felt myself shaking against him as tears poured down my face. He didn’t move away. He didn’t judge me. He just held me like he used to when we were married—steady, warm, calm.
I cried into his shirt while he rested his hand on the back of my head. “You’re safe,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.”
I could barely speak. “She’s all I have.”
“You have me too,” he whispered.
That made something break inside me, and I cried even harder.
We stood like that in the hallway for a long time. Nurses walked past us quietly, giving us space. My whole body shook with fear. Dimitri stayed still, supporting all of my weight.
About twenty minutes later, I heard footsteps running. I looked up and saw Stefan rushing toward us. His expression was full of panic.
“Val!” he said, breathless. “I heard what happened—are you okay? Where is she?”
Then he froze.
His eyes fell on Dimitri’s arms around me.
His expression changed immediately. His face was filled with confusion, hurt and anger all mixed together.
He stepped closer. “Why is he holding you?”
Dimitri shifted, still keeping his arm around me. “She needed support. Don’t start anything right now.”
“This isn’t your place,” Stefan snapped. “This is her grandmother. Not your family. Why are you touching her like that?”
Dimitri’s jaw tightened. “Because she asked for help.”
“I didn’t ask you!” Stefan said to Dimitri. “I’m talking to her.”
I closed my eyes. “Please… not now…”
Stefan moved closer, ignoring Dimitri. “Val, look at me. Tell me why you didn’t call me!”
“Because I didn’t want more fighting,” I said, my voice weak.
Stefan looked like I punched him. “So you called him instead?”
Dimitri pulled me a little closer. “She doesn’t owe you an explanation.”
“Get your hands off her,” Stefan snapped.
“No,” Dimitri answered calmly. “She’s shaking. I’m not letting go.”
Stefan’s hands balled into fists. “Step away from her.”
“Both of you stop,” I said loudly, my voice breaking. “Stop it.”
They both froze.
“I can’t do this right now,” I whispered. “I can’t deal with the both of you fighting when my grandmother is in that room fighting for her life.”
Stefan stepped back immediately, looking ashamed. “Val… I’m sorry.”
Dimitri looked down at me. “Do you want me to stay?”
“Yes,” I said quietly without thinking.
Stefan’s eyes widened in pain. “You want him… not me?”
“I want silence,” I said. “I don’t want drama. Not today.”
Stefan swallowed hard. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“But—”
I cut him off. “Stefan, please.”
He looked hurt. Deeply hurt. But he nodded slowly.
“Call me if… if you want me later,” he whispered.
Then he walked away, his shoulders tense.
I watched him disappear down the hallway. For a moment, guilt hit me. But my heart was too tired to think about it.
Dimitri touched my arm gently. “Val… it’s okay. Don’t think about him right now.”
I nodded slowly. “I just want… I just want Nona to wake up.”
“Let’s go sit with her,” he said.
He walked me into her room where she lay there quietly, her chest rising and falling slowly. Machines beeped softly.
I pulled up a chair beside her and took her hand.
“Please wake up,” I whispered. “Please.”
Dimitri stood behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder in support.
The rest of the world felt far away. Only her quiet breathing mattered. Only her hand in mine mattered.
I closed my eyes and prayed. I didn’t know what I was saying. I just prayed for her to stay.