That night, just as the medical team had predicted, the effects of the anesthesia given to Viona slowly began to wear off. Inside the quiet ICU room, filled only with the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor, Viona's fingers twitched slightly. Her long lashes trembled before her eyes gradually opened, trying to adjust to the dim light of the room.
The first thing she saw was her father's face.
Daxter looked utterly exhausted, yet his eyes were shining with overwhelming relief and happiness as he stared at her.
"Daddy..." Viona whispered. Her voice sounded hoarse and weak behind the small oxygen mask covering her nose and mouth.
"Yes, sweetheart. Daddy's here," Daxter replied, his voice trembling heavily with emotion. He stood firmly beside the hospital bed, tightly holding his daughter's hand as if reassuring her that every storm had finally passed. "Don't move too much yet, alright? Your head is still bandaged."
