Chapter 166

Gideon's POV

Dr. Hayes walked into the waiting room wearing that expression I'd come to fear—serious, controlled, but not completely devastating. Everyone stood at once, hearts pounding, waiting for words that could either shatter or rebuild our world.

"The Vandermere family," he began, his tone professional yet kind.

"How is she?" I asked before he could go on, my voice breaking with desperation.