The doors of the hospital swung open with a sharp hiss. A sense of urgency dominated the air as the doctors and nurses ran as fast as possible, rushing the patient to the emergency room.
Marcus was among the doctors, feeling like the doctors weren't rushing enough. His brother was like burnt meat. He was unrecognizable.
"Please, Aidan. Don't leave me," It was the first time in twelve years since Marcus let a tear effortlessly leave his eyes. Aidan was the only brother and family he had. The only true friend as he thought, and he wasn't wrong.
Marcus stood at the threshold, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He watched as they wheeled his brother, Aidan, inside, the hospital staff taking immediate control of the dire situation.
Tubes and wires snaked around the gurney, connected to the unconscious figure lying upon it.
After some time, one of the doctors in his early fifties, Dr. Patterson, came out of the room, the door sound clicking in Marcus's ears, which made him involuntarily get up from the seat.
"Doctor,"
He approached Marcus, a sense of pity in his eyes. "We're doing everything we can, Mr. Del Monte. But you should prepare yourself. Aidan's recovery will be a lengthy and painful process."
He closed his eyes at hearing such hopeless words. Anger slowly started burning his chest. He nodded, "How long?"
"The minimum is six months, if he gets lucky" The doctor sighed.
Marcus's thoughts were a tempest of emotions — his anger intensified at the mastermind behind such an act, guilt for not being there to protect Aidan, and an overwhelming sadness that threatened to drown him.
"No matter how long he takes, make sure that he doesn't kiss the earth goodbye. Not now." His voice was lower and delicate.
The doctor nodded, "We will do the best we can,"
He swallowed hard, and his face showed vulnerability that did not describe his normal personality.
"Good,"
The doctor rushed inside the room again. Marcus returned to the seat. Time seemed to stop on his side. He felt like it took forever to get the updated news.
His hands started shaking as his chin lay against them. He looked around for something, anything that he could break or use to reduce the anger.
Then he suddenly landed his eyes on the chair he was sitting on. It was one made for three people. The little voice telling him to throw it got louder, igniting a desire to do so.
Just as he was waking up to follow the little voice, the door opened again. The doctors exposed themselves, all of them leaving except Dr. Patterson.
"How is he?" Marcus asked curiosity and fear evident in his eyes.
"He's out of danger. However, he needs the utmost care. He must not meet with any kind of infection,"
"Can I see him?"
"Yes, but you need to change your clothes,"
Dr. Patterson's words resonated with Marcus, and he knew he had to see his unconscious brother, regardless of the turmoil raging within him. He nodded, his jaw set, "Alright, I'll change my clothes."
The doctor led him to a small room adjacent to Aidan's. It felt like an eternity as he swapped his lounge pants and nightshirt for a set of hospital scrubs. He glanced at himself in the mirror, noting the worry lines etched deep into his face.
After changing, he followed Dr. Patterson back to Aidan's room. His heart raced with a mix of nervousness and a desperate hope to find his brother alive.
As he entered, the site he met ripped his heart apart, leaving a very faint expectation of his brother to ever live again.
Aidan lay in the hospital bed, his entire body hugged by white bandages. He appeared motionless, and only his eyes were visible, closed in an unconscious slumber.
Tears welled up in Marcus's eyes once more as he approached Aidan's bedside. He reached out and gently touched his brother's hand, the bandages cold and unforgiving beneath his fingers.
"Aidan," Marcus whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm here, and I'm not leaving your side. We'll get through this together."
A feeling of regret hit him hard, causing a sting in his heart. He was the brother. He was supposed to take care of him.
Maybe if their mother was alive, Aidan wouldn't have to be like this. He wouldn't have reached the stage of having to fight so hard for his life.
"What right did I ever do for you?" His voice was broken. He wiped away a tear.
Dr. Patterson couldn't help but break himself, as he had never seen Marcus in this vulnerable moment.
Whenever his feet touched the floors of the hospital, he'd be rude and arrogant, bossing everyone around and making sure every work was done perfectly.
The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder, offering comfort. "It's never easy seeing a loved one like this," He said softly.
Marcus nodded, unable to hold back his tears any longer. "I've been such a terrible brother, always putting…" He couldn't say it.
The one thing that consumed him more than work did. That one thing that had driven him to want more success, power, and influence, yet he was unable to bring himself to say it.
It wasn't something he could say to the doctor, who was just an employee at his hospital. He didn't even want to admit it himself.
It was because of that reason, that he was unable to notice anything that was going on at that time. He was busy enjoying his time as he tortured Camilla.
"Work before family. Now look at what's happened to him." He sobbed.
Dr. Patterson's comforting hand remained on Marcus's shoulder, providing a sense of solace.
He spoke gently, "We all make mistakes, Marcus. What's important now is that you're here for Aidan when he needs you most. Family has a way of bringing us back together, even in our darkest moments."
Marcus nodded, his tears still flowing freely. "I just hope he forgives me when he wakes up. If he ever wakes up."
The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "Time and care have a way of healing any kind of physical wounds. Aidan is strong, and he'll sense your presence, your love. It might take time, but he will know you're here for him."
Marcus nodded. His face once filled with tears and emotions now turning into a dark matter of sorrow and anger, as if he were some demon that had just been expelled from hell itself.
"Whoever did this will pay with their lives," His voice spitfire.