Chapter 42

Aurora's POV
“He needs time to recover. We will monitor him and provide intensive care. Please be patient, we are doing our best,” the doctor replied, trying to be as calm as possible.
I could only nod, feeling a faint hope. As I sat beside him, holding his hand, I spoke softly, “Dante, I am here. We all need you. Don’t go, honey. Hold on for us,” I said, hoping he would feel my presence, hoping my soul could convey my love even in this situation.
Time seemed to stand still as I watched over Dante as he struggled. There was still hope for him, and I was determined not to give up. Our three children needed their father, and I needed him. I wanted them to grow up with the love of both their parents, and I promised to do everything I could to support him so that he could recover.
In my despair, I kept praying, hoping that God would protect him and give him the strength to survive. And I prepared myself to face the difficult days ahead, with hope and love as our strength.
When the doctor told me, “Your husband’s condition is critical. He must be taken to the ICU,” my heart felt like it was breaking. Every word that came out of his mouth felt like a hammer hitting my head. “Why did this happen?” I thought, why did all this have to happen at a time that should have been full of happiness?
I couldn’t stop thinking that I thought Dante would come home after work. Now, the reality that I felt was far more painful than I could have imagined. In a panic, I could only stare at his body lying weakly, surrounded by medical equipment that all looked very serious.
As best I could hold on to hope, fear and helplessness clouded my mind. “Dante, you have to be strong for our children and for me. I can’t live without you,” I said, my voice shaking. Tears streamed down my cheeks, raining down my remaining hope.
While the nurses began to prepare everything to take him to the ICU, I tried to stay calm and not make a mess around me. A sense of gloom surrounded me, but I knew I had to give him strength and, more than that, for our three babies who still needed a father figure.
On the way to the ICU, my heart prayed that the doctors and medical team could help him recover.
“You are an amazing father, Dante. We need you here with us. You can’t go,” I sighed in my heart.
As soon as we arrived in front of the ICU door, I felt a cold breeze from the door. The medical team put him inside, and I felt as if I was separated by a strong wall that I could only see from the outside. Before the door closed, I tried to give Dante a loving look, hoping he could feel it even though he was unconscious.
“You will be fine, Dante. I believe you. Our three children must want to see you again,” I said, stroking his hand to show that I was still here, fighting with him.
As the ICU door closed, my body felt tired, but my determination to keep fighting for my family grew stronger. “You have to be strong, honey. We all need you,” I said in my heart as I waited for further news about the condition of my husband, whom I loved so much. That hope and belief were the only things I could hold on to in this difficult situation.
When my mother’s phone rang, I felt it vibrate in my hand, but when I heard her voice, my heart beat faster. “Aurora, Roland’s body is getting hotter, I think it’s better to take him to the hospital,” my mother said, her voice sounding anxious.
I paused for a moment, feeling panic starting to envelop my mind. “Oh no…,” I sighed, as all thoughts about Roland and Dante’s condition swirled in my mind. I knew that immediate action was needed, but with Dante in critical condition, I felt even more pressure.
"I'll call an ambulance right away and have you take him to the hospital," I replied, trying to calm myself even though my heart was shaking.
My feelings were mixed. Roland was sick, and at the same time, Dante was fighting for his life. Oh God, help me! It felt like the world was collapsing around me. How could one woman possibly deal with all of this at once?
After making sure my mother had taken Roland for treatment, I tried to stay calm. “Take good care of Roland, Mom. Give him some fever-reducing medicine if necessary and make sure the doctor checks him quickly,” I said, remembering all I could do.
Then, I tried to gather my courage and remember what I had to do. In the chaos of emotions, I tried to believe that everything would be okay. “I’m here for Dante—I’ll keep waiting until I hear good news about him,” I muttered to myself.
As I walked back into the hospital waiting room, exhaustion and anxiety were raging inside me. But one thing was clear to me: I couldn’t give up. Once again, I prayed that God would give me strength and protection for the two people I loved, both Roland, who was sick, and Dante, who was in critical condition.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I tried to feel the power of the love that had strengthened me all this time. I had to be ready not only to face this ordeal but also to support them both. Their safety meant everything to me, and I would fight with all my might for them.
As soon as I arrived at the hospital for my mother and Roland, the service was very fast. Thanks to the special card I had, we were immediately taken to the medical procedure room without having to wait long. Seeing Roland slumped in my mother's arms made me feel hurt. His small body felt very hot when I held him.