The words echoed in my head, distorted and meaningless.
Your father is awake.
I stood there, phone pressed to my ear, staring at nothing. Around me, the crime scene continued its choreographed chaos, forensics teams moving in and out of the building, investigators taking measurements, Hayes barking orders into his radio.
But I couldn't process any of it.
My father was awake.
After weeks in a coma. After the crash that should have killed him. After I'd stood over his hospital bed, refusing to let them pull the plug even when every doctor told me there was no hope.
He was awake.
And all I could think about was Aria.
"Mr. Roman?" Dr. Martinez's voice pulled me back. "Did you hear me? Your father is conscious and asking for you."
"I…" My throat felt tight. "I can't. Not right now."
"Sir, I understand you're busy, but he's been asking for you repeatedly."
