Aaron's face was dark, his mood heavy as he handled Sophia's hospitalization. The atmosphere around him was so cold that even Julian didn't dare speak much.

By the time they returned to the hospital room, it had started pouring rain.

The two men stood on the balcony at the end of the hospital hallway. Julian took a cigarette out of his pack, handing one to Aaron before lighting it.

Leaning against the wall, Julian took a deep drag and glanced at the ...