The doctor's words landed like a final blow.
Afterwards, the doctor turned and left them in an uncomfortable silence.
Sophia glanced at Lucas, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation. "Lucas, this is your chance. You need to mark her. If you don't, you'll lose her forever."
Hades's head snapped up, fury rising in his chest. "No," he barked, his voice sharp with resistance.
Sophia didn't flinch. "Hades, if Lucas doesn't do this, Aurora will die. You know that. We all do."
The anguish on Hades's face was clear, but the truth of Sophia's words left him powerless.
His fists clenched in frustration, every fibre of his wanting to scream in protest.
But after a tense pause, he gave a slow, painful nod, agreeing with more heartbreak than words could express.
When they finally began preparing to move Aurora, Lucas approached her motionless form.
