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

second doctor entered… this one younger, in blue scrubs, a

“Mr. De Santis?”

around. He was dizzy for a second before catching himself. When had he last eaten? Not that it

almost apologetic. “You’re going through more in one day than most do in a year, but… I

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Luca braced himself.

finally unclasping in her lap.

support, which is expected for a twenty–eight–weeker. The lungs aren’t fully developed yet, but all signs point to strength. His numbers are stable. He’s feeding

shut his eyes

the doctor continued. “We

A

little

picture him… his son, but the

he’s

body wrapped in a

“Have you thought of

Luca looked up.

and Blair and Roman as if

after just a moment

not without

the doctor. “No. Not until Sutton chooses

”

much.” Then he flipped the

“And Sutton?”

was just getting to

Please just let her

lucky,” the doctor

went weak just hearing

pelvic fracture but no displacement, could’ve been far worse. Initial imaging suggests a bruised kidney on her right side, likely from the fall

as if she’d been holding

need bed rest. At a minimum, a week, most likely two. No standing without assistance. No stairs. And minimal

I’ll make

You’ll be able to see her soon. But not all at once. Only

in Luca crumpled internally, his body sagged forward ever so slightly, like his bones had stopped pretending to hold themselves

Keira saw it first.

and moved beside him, one hand slipping under his arm to

okay?” he asked one more time, voice scraped

just weathered a storm, Mr. De Santis–but

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Chapter 137