They exited the doctor's office, Bella clutching his hand tightly. She stopped abruptly, tugging on his arm to halt their steps.
Theodore turned to her, his brow furrowed in concern. Gratitude welled up within Bella. He was here, a beacon of support amid her storm.
She wanted to tell him everything, to bare her soul and share the burdens she had carried alone.
"Is there something you want to say?" he asked gently.
Bella nodded. "You were honest with me. It's now my turn to tell you about myself."
Theodore smiled warmly, reaching out to brush a stray tear from her cheek. "There's no rush, Bella," he reassured her. "Let's visit your mother first. We can talk when we get back."
Bella nodded slowly.
As they navigated the sterile corridors toward the ICU, Theodore's phone buzzed insistently. He saw Hugo's name on the screen. He hesitated for a moment to talk to him in Bella's presence, but he couldn't ignore the call either.
