In the sterile hallway, the rhythmic beeping of a nearby heart monitor was the only sound that dared to intrude on the tense silence. Tony clenched and unclenched his fists, a wave of nausea washing over him. Every beep felt like a hammer blow to his chest. He stole a glance at Enzo, who paced relentlessly, his jaw clenched tight. Enzo, usually the picture of calm, was a tightly coiled spring, worry etched into every line of his face.

Tony remembered the last time they'd been in a hospital ...