The nurse looked down, her voice trembling as she held the clipboard close to her chest. “I’m sorry, Mr. Calder,” she whispered. “He… he didn’t make it.”
For a moment, the world stopped moving.
Adrian blinked, disbelief washing over him like cold water. “What did you just say?” His voice came out rough, uneven. “Say it again.”
The nurse swallowed, avoiding his eyes. “There was a complication. His kidneys failed completely. We tried everything, but… Elias passed away early this morning.”
He scoffed, shaking his head. “No. No, that’s impossible. You must be talking about another child.”
But the nurse only lowered her gaze further. “I’m sorry, sir. It’s your son. Elias Calder.”
Before Adrian could say another word, a piercing scream tore through the hallway.
“What do you mean dead?!” Seraphine’s voice was raw and trembling. She pushed past two nurses, her eyes wild. “Where is his body? Where is my son?!”
“Miss, please—” the nurse tried to explain, but Seraphine shoved her away.
“I want to see him!” she cried, her voice breaking. “Where is my son? Where is Elias?”