Chapter 8:
Sebastian drove straight to one of his childhood friend's hospitals, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with every passing second.
The moment they arrived, Yuvan was rushed into the ICU.
Inside, a team of elite doctors immediately began treatment. They were among the finest in Australia—specialists known for handling even the most critical cases.
And yet… nothing worked.
No matter what they tried, Yuvan's fever refused to subside.
Hours passed.
The entire Sterling family waited outside the ICU, trapped in a suffocating silence.
Sebastian paced relentlessly, his footsteps echoing against the cold hospital floor. Theo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression grim. Robert sat hunched on the bench, while David stood by the window, staring out but seeing nothing.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Then, at last, the ICU doors opened.
The head doctor stepped out.
---
Sebastian was the first to move.
"Is he okay?" he demanded, his voice tight with urgency.
The doctor removed his mask slowly, avoiding their eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling…" he began, his voice heavy. "His fever isn't going down, no matter what we do. If this continues…" He hesitated, lowering his head. "…we might lose him."
The words fell like a death sentence.
Sebastian staggered back, as if struck.
Theo's jaw clenched hard enough to ache.
David shut his eyes, trying to steady the storm within him.
Robert sank deeper into the bench, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
A deadly silence swallowed the hallway.
And then—
Sebastian snapped.
Grabbing the doctor by the collar, he yanked him forward, his eyes blazing with raw fury.
"Listen carefully," he said, his voice low and trembling with restrained rage. "If you fail to save him… I'll make sure you don't walk out of this hospital alive."
A moment later, Sebastian released him.
"Do whatever it takes," he added, his tone now calm—but far more dangerous. "Just make my wife well."
The doctor nodded quickly and hurried back into the ICU.
---
At Midnight:
The fever finally dropped—just slightly.
But it still lingered at 109°.
By then, only Sebastian and Theo remained.
Robert and David had been sent home despite their protests. Theo had insisted.
Now, the waiting area felt emptier than ever.
Sebastian sat on the bench, exhaustion weighing heavily on him, when a cup of coffee appeared in front of him.
He looked up.
Theo stood there, holding it out silently.
---
"You should eat something," Theo said gently. "You haven't had anything since lunch."
Sebastian accepted the coffee but shook his head. "I'm not hungry."
Theo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "At least eat for Yuvan. What if something happens to you… and when he wakes up, you're not there?"
Sebastian clicked his tongue softly. "…Fine."
---
Next Morning:
The fever was gone.
Completely.
Morning light filtered softly into the room as Yuvan's eyes fluttered open.
The first thing he saw was Sebastian—sitting beside him, watching over him as if he hadn't moved all night.
"…W-water…" Yuvan whispered weakly, his voice barely audible.
Sebastian reacted instantly.
Within seconds, he was back, carefully lifting him and helping him drink.
Yuvan took slow breaths, his body still fragile.
Then—
The door opened.
Theo stepped in.
---
The moment he saw Yuvan awake, relief crashed over him.
"Yuvy!" he rushed forward, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Do you have any idea how scared I was?"
Yuvan let out a soft breath, gently patting his back. "I'm alright… don't cry."
From the side, Sebastian watched—his gaze darkening.
Jealousy flickered, sharp and sudden.
Without warning, he stepped forward, pushing Theo aside and pulling Yuvan into his own arms.
"Ignore him," he muttered. "Tell me—are you feeling okay?"
Yuvan leaned into him instinctively and nodded.
Theo stared at them, stunned for a second before irritation took over. "Oi—what was that for?!"
Sebastian didn't even look at him. "Stay out of it."
That was enough to set Theo off.
Within seconds, the two were arguing—sharp words flying back and forth.
And in the middle of it all—
Yuvan laughed.
A soft, quiet sound.
But enough to break the tension completely.
*:..｡o To be continue o｡..:*