Kalina drifted in and out of consciousness, caught in a liminal space where she could hear everything around her but was unable to open her eyes, no matter how hard she tried. The voices in the room were muffled, as though she were submerged underwater, but she could recognize them, especially Dominique's, thick with worry and frustration.
"What's going on, Doc?" Nikolas's voice cut through the haze on one occasion, sounding closer than before.
She couldn't tell how long she'd been like this, trapped in this unresponsive state. But she was aware of one thing: Dominique had barely left her side. Even in her unconscious state, she could feel his presence, a protective energy that anchored her to reality.
"Why the fuck is she not waking up?" Dominique's voice was harsh, laced with desperation, as he yelled at someone, likely the doctor. His words reverberated in her mind, each syllable heavy with anger and fear.
