Fragile Hope

The doctor exhaled slowly, glancing at Ricardo's unconscious form. "As I said, it's difficult to predict. His brain activity shows some signs of life, but he's still deeply sedated. We'll keep him on a strict monitoring schedule, checking his oxygen levels, blood pressure, and brain function. We'll adjust his medications as needed. But for now, all we can do is wait."

Zinnia's heart ached at the sound of her mother's soft sobs. She held her mother tightly, trying to be strong even as her own resolve began to crack. "Mom, we have to be strong. For Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "He's fighting. He's always fought. We can't give up on him."

Elena nodded, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. "I don't know how much longer I can take this, Zinnia. What if he... What if he doesn't come back to us?"