Chapter 727

Morning light filtered through the hospital curtains as Ethan Roscente and Vivian Laurent finished their breakfast.

Vivian changed into sterile scrubs and returned to the ICU.

The monitors displayed steady rhythms—Theo's vitals were improving.

"Twenty-four more hours of observation, and he should wake up," Vivian murmured to the nurse.

At dawn the next day, a soft beep sounded from the monitors.

Theo's eyelids fluttered open.

"Aunt...Vivian..." His voice was barely a whisper.

Vivian immediately leaned closer. "Theo! You're awake!"

Her fingers brushed his forehead, cool against his skin.

"Where...am I dead...?" Confusion clouded his gaze.

His last memory was the glint of a knife.

His mother's gentle smile as she promised to stay with him—twisting into something terrifying.

"Don't be silly. My brave boy already beat the illness." Vivian's voice was feather-soft.

Theo's eyes welled up.

"Aunt Vivian...it hurts..." His quiet sob cracked.

She checked the IV pump. "Show me where it hurts."

She couldn't hug the fragile child—only offer clinical comfort.

After adjusting the painkiller dosage, she sat back down.

"Your uncle Ethan has been waiting outside. He'll see you when you're stronger."

Theo nodded weakly, then hesitated. "My mom...she..."

Vivian's expression hardened. "Theo, does your mom treat you well?"

The boy's gaze flickered. "She's...okay..."

"Tell me the truth." Vivian clasped his small, cold hand.

A shrill alarm blared from the monitor.