Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 137

Chapter 137

It felt like time had stopped and doubled in on itself. Luca sat with his elbows on his knees, head in his hands. His knuckles were white. His breathing was shallow. The walls were starting to get to him, but he hadn’t moved in over an hour.

Neither had Roman, posted at the door like a guard. Keira was in a chair beside him, hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles cracked every time she shifted. Blair sat quietly nearby, staring at the tiled floor, her expression unreadable. Antonio and Bella sat together talking softly.

Someone coughed down the hall. Footsteps.

Then the door opened.

A doctor in a white coat stepped gently into the room, her ID badge tucked against her chest.

“Mr. De Santis?”

They all looked up at once.

Luca stood abruptly, his body jerking to attention, and so did Antonio.

“I’m Dr. Smith,” the woman said. “Cardiology.” She said to them both.

Everyone in the room held his or her breath.

“Your father pulled through.”

Luca exhaled. Hard. Shoulders slumped for the first time in four hours.

Dr. Smith continued, “He’s stable–for now. But the next forty–eight hours are critical. The artery we cleared today was dangerously close to full blockage. He was in the early stages of cardiogenic shock by the time we got him into surgery.”

“Is he awake?” Antonio asked from beside him.

“He’s sedated, but holding.” The doctor gave a tight but gentle smile. “He’ll need bed rest for at least a week, very limited activity after that. But if he gets through the next two days without complications, I’m optimistic. But if your father is still working, I would suggest retirement.”

Luca swallowed against his pulse rising in his throat. “Thank you,” he managed.

Dr. Smith gave a nod and stepped out.

If he never had to live through another twelve like he had just experienced, he would thank God every day.

His father was alive. Barely. But alive.

Everyone remained still. No tears. No celebration. Because they still needed an update on Sutton and the baby.

The minutes passed again in indistinct clumps. Roman said something quietly to Keira and Blair. Antonio sat beside Bella and pressed his forehead to her shoulder wordlessly. Luca paced the room, waiting.

another knock at

this one younger, in blue scrubs, a

“Mr. De Santis?”

a second before catching himself. When had he last eaten? Not that

almost apologetic. “You’re going through more in

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Luca braced himself.

him, Keira tensed, her hands finally unclasping in her

first. “He’s still on ventilator support, which is expected for a twenty–eight–weeker. The lungs aren’t fully developed yet, but all signs

shut his eyes

small,” the doctor continued. “We would have liked him

A

little

his son, but the image wouldn’t come.

but he’s

seen was a tiny body wrapped in a blanket as they rushed

softly. “Have you thought

Luca looked up.

shifted to Keira, and

and, after just a

not without

the doctor. “No. Not

”

much.” Then he

“And Sutton?”

just getting

Please just let her

lucky,” the

went weak just

kidney on her right side, likely from the fall or impact. Some swelling

if she’d

week, most likely two. No standing without assistance. No stairs. And minimal stress. No lifting

make

be able to see her soon. But not all at once. Only one or two people at a time. Might be

forward ever so slightly, like his bones had stopped pretending to

Keira saw it first.

him, one hand slipping under his arm to

okay?” he asked one more time, voice scraped

family just weathered a storm, Mr. De Santis–but

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Chapter 137