Final Fantasy XV-2

Dawn

Chapter 6

Misery Loves Company

Insomnia has a history of dark times befallen the majestic kingdom, and today was as bleak as it could possibly be.

The smoke rising from the destruction of parts of the Citadel like snakes slithering into the sky, blackened clouds bleed rain from above and bathed the city in water. Much of the reconstruction was ruined and the once near completed buildings have returned to nothing but rubble like before.

Yet the destruction of the buildings, the looks of war upon the growing city, paled to the tragedy that befall the palace once again.

Ignis would never say it to his brothers, Astrals he's never confined in Noctis, that was partially relieved to not have been inside the Citadel when it was attacked all those years ago. He knew he couldn't withstand seeing the death and destruction of his home, or worse, seeing his uncle perish in the attack. Today though, he had to bear witness to a tragedy that tore him apart.

Seeing Iris being shot…her life being snatched away because of a daemon of an emperor's lust for power, and him being there unable to prevent another tragedy in his own home.

He could feel his blood turn ice when he saw the children's reactions, tears running down their eyes and horror etched on their faces like a horrible picture that he could never burn from his memories, a forever reminder of his failure.

Gladiolus…by the blood of the Astrals Ignis had never felt so useless…

The man came in after fighting what remained of the soldiers, the proud and unshakable shield of the Chosen King, brought to his knees in despair and horror when he saw his sister's lifeless form in a pool of her own blood. It was like watching a statue break apart with each step until he collapsed onto his knees, and holding his sister in his arms, he let out a ghastly cry of anguish that rang in the chamberlain's ears like a horrible song.

To see his brother in such agony, a pain he caused to his heart to pieces. And he had none to blame but himself.

He stood outside one of the royal family chambers, inside the princess was still sleeping with woman known as "Ante", the blue haired swordswoman. So far only himself and her were keeping watch on the sleeping child, the older man had all but refused anyone else to take this position.

After the planted spies and traitors that almost got Aurora killed among their children, he told Cor to background search each member of the slowly rebuilding Crownsguard and if found guilty of suspicion, they'd be arrested. Only he and Gladiolus were to take this position, though he hadn't seen the warrior since Iris was relocated to the medical wing.

Prompto, unfortunately, was in no condition to guard for a very long time, or even ever again. After finding him Prompto was taken to the medical wing for surgery, and from what the doctors told the chamberlain, the result wasn't looking promising for the photographer.

His phone then vibrated, jolting him out of his pondering. Plucking the device from his breast pocket, he checked to see a text from Cindy, apparently having trouble getting into the Citadel thanks to the guard. Lack of proper identification papers apparently.

He texted back instantly, telling her to inform the guards Scientia has given her permission to visit her husband and son, and further troubles can be directed at him.

Lowering his phone down, Ignis stood still in the lonely hall, unable to move or even stand up properly, leaning against the door. His eyes stung from the unshed tears, tears from his guilt and own sorrows. Iris' blood was on his hands, he was the one who dragged Iris and her daughter into all this, all because he felt it was his duty to help the legacy of the Lucis. Where all he did was bring tragedy to his niece and now, he took her mother.

He failed Noctis…again.

His musings were broken when he heard heavy footsteps approaching, yet his eyes were fixed on the ground. It wasn't as if he needed to look to identify the approaching stranger, he's well accustomed to the sound of those heavy footsteps.

Slowly though, he lowered his phone and turned his weary gaze to Gladiolus, the man just approaching him. Once there would be a casual greeting or a playful jest of the state Ignis would be in, but no, not this time. Instead there was a silence that was thick and almost choking the two brothers, each showing an emotion they shared.

Sorrow.

Gladiolus' uniform was all but ruined now, the upper clothing replaced by a simple large t-shirt that looked too tight for him, his Kingsglaive pants torn here and there but usable none the less, marks of battle were clear on his arms and even on his right cheek, leaving a scar. His eyes were dim, almost too dark to even see the colour of the iris. He gave Ignis a blank look, as if he was meeting him for the first time.

Ignis didn't want to imagine how he looked, he could only imagine he looked less than ideal now. '…how long have you been standing here?', Gladiolus asked, noticing how exhausted he looked.

'I…don't know', Ignis admitted. 'I haven't taken much notice of the time'.

Ignis was certain it might've been quite sometime since he even took a step out of this stance he was currently in, where he originally stood by the door now, he was slouched against it like some punk in the streets. He hadn't budged from this place since he and Ante had re-located the princess into this brief sanctuary, once he was done instructing every, though limited, able-body man and woman on their tasks and making sure the children were taken somewhere safe.

'Well if you want my opinion, and I know you didn't ask, but I think you need a break', he offered.

'I'm fine, Gladio', insisted the chamberlain.

Gladiolus approached him, towering over him. Ignis had expected to see resentment and anger in his brother's eyes, he was honestly lost for words when he saw neither in those brown eyes. Instead he sees sympathy. Gladiolus placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and gripped it.

'I think Prompto's gonna wake up sooner than we think. May do him and his family good if you pay them a visit', offered the shield.

Ignis opened his mouth to protest but in the end all he did was sigh and looked aside. 'I…cannot Gladio', he confessed.

'Why the hell not? The medical wing isn't that far, and hey, maybe a change of scenery would do you wonders', Gladiolus said.

Ignis should have felt a smidgen better, or hell, even relived, that Gladiolus was even speaking to him again and not giving him the silent treatment. It was better than them treading around each other like eggshells on the floor.

So why did he feel so…angry? Why was Gladiolus, acting, like things are fine between them?

'Gladio…what is going on?', he asked, barely restraining the anger in his tone.

The shield raised a brow at him, his look turning sterner at the tone. 'What?', he asked. 'Iggy-

'What the bloody hell is wrong with you!?', Ignis shouted, slapping his hand off his shoulder. He started to pace in place, then running a hand through his hair, he turned on him. '"A change of scenery will do you wonders"!? Why are you talking as if nothing happened!? Why aren't you furious with me!?'.

Gladiolus raised a hand at him but before he could even get a syllable in this, Ignis continued. 'Why aren't you angry? I got your sister killed! I put everyone in danger, your daughters! Why are you…why are you…', he said, but his anger dimmed as his shoulders slumped.

'Why aren't I kicking your ass? Why am I not tearing you a new one?', Gladiolus asked, his own voice gruffer and tinged with anger. 'What good is that gonna do for me, or you or hell ANYONE now? Look, I'm angry, that you aren't wrong in, and yeah, I want to punch you'.

He grabbed Ignis by the shoulders and shook him. 'But kicking your ass isn't gonna bring Iris back now is it!?', he growled. 'And ripping into you isn't gonna change how shitty this situation got for not just Insomnia but for our families!'. 'You think I'm not trying to fall apart here? You think I'm acting like because I'm over it, well news flash I'M NOT!'.

The two just stared at each other for a moment, pain flashing across their eyes like a storm raging within them. Loss, grief and anger clashing like a tsunami and storm at war with each other. Gladiolus' own dimmed. 'You think you're the only who screwed up, you think all the blame should be laid at your feet, but you're goddamn wrong! Stop acting like it's all YOUR fault!'.

He shoved Ignis into the door with light slam, the man slipping down until he sat against the door, defeated. He didn't even look up anymore, just looking into space as Gladiolus fell against the wall, head raised up to look at the ceiling as he panted. '…I'm not the only one who lost Iris…and you're not the only one who's thinking "I should have done more"'.

Ignis placed both hands against his forehead, letting out a breath. 'I know you had every great intention Iggy, and truth be told, I believed in thinking it was time for us to bury the hatchet with the Nifs', Gladiolus confessed. 'Heh, guess we didn't learn anything from our history books, huh?'.

Ignis let out a humourless chuckle, plucking his glasses off from his eyes and rubbing the bridge between them. 'Gladio, I'm so sorry', he apologized. 'Iggy…', Gladiolus stressed but he gave no further resistance. 'I'm so sorry for everything…for you, Iris, your family', he listed, but he felt his throat tighten up, tears threatening to escape him.

'I know Ig, I know', the shield said, sombrely. 'But right now, we've a princess whose gonna need us, more than ever'. Gladiolus pushed himself off the wall and offered him a hand up. 'And I think, we need each other too', he said.

Ignis slowly took his hand and allowed the stronger man to pull him back to his feet. Adjusting his glasses, the man let out a heavy sigh. 'Go on ahead and see Prom, I'll take over the watch', Gladiolus offered. Despite his instance almost taking over, Ignis relented when he finally took notice just how exhausted he felt and needed a change of pace. With a solemn nod, Ignis turned down the corridor and proceeded down the stairs.

(Lower Levels)

The medical wing was located just below the throne room, a must by his majesty King Regis after Noctis' return from Tenebrae all those years ago, just in case.

But Ignis was making his way to the foyer, he received another text from Cindy that some of the guards were denying her entry. Instead of just texting them to let her pass, he ultimately decided it'd be best if he was there to assure them, she was a guest, and more importantly, the wife of a Kingsglaive.

The foyer was bustling with all members of the Crownsguard, the ones Cor hand picked himself since they reformed, and not under suspicion. He could see Cindy speaking to one of the guards, though from the way she looked it appeared she was close to pulling out a wrench and beating the guards. Although as humorous as that would, Ignis had a worrisome feeling she'd be tried with murder later.

Currently she was wearing a red shirt with Prompto's old black vest and a pair of denim jeans that looked old judging from the faded patches of colour around her thighs, her cap forgotten and her hair wild and tangled as if she suffered through a wind storm. It may be possible she just grabbed the closet set of clothes

'Misses Argentum', he announced, approaching them.

The trio turned their eyes on the man, the two guards immediately standing up right and giving him salutes. Cindy however gave him a look of relief, like a costumer finally seeing the manager at long last. Ignis gave them a nod and gestured Cindy to pass, which she did no second later after he gestured.

'Where is Prompto and Vitae? Are they safe? What happened?', she asked, her eyes were bright with fear and worry, that relief vanished instantly her mouth opened. 'Prompto is currently in the medical wing, Vitae is, as far as I am aware, with him since he was put there', Ignis explained. 'I was on my way over until I received your text'.

'Then led on!', Cindy said, though it sounded more like a demand by her tone.

Ignis couldn't hold it against her though, he'd be no different, but probably worse, if Fulgur was in the same predicament as his friends. The walk there was silent, but tense. Ignis would occasionally subtly look at Cindy to gauge her. He found her eyes fixated on the path before them, her shoulders tense like she was ready for the worst.

He felt the need to say something, to apologize for what he put her family through, and for what his choice did to her husband. Opening his mouth, suddenly she turned on him. 'If I hear the word "sorry" from your mouth mister, I'll show ya how painful a wrench to your skull will be', she said quickly. Ignis slowly closed his lips, he didn't need a demonstration of her ferocity, Prompto assured him there was a good reason she shouldn't join the Kingsglaive.

She'd be far too dangerous to make an enemy out of.

Her olive-green eyes held a fire in them, but strangely he wasn't feeling a sense of threat from her, as if she is directing the fires to something else. Her gaze softened, and she looked away. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at ya like that', she sighed.

'You have every right to…', Ignis admitted, softly.

'Do I? Last time I checked you ain't the one who put my husband in the hospital, or the one who did all this', she argued.

Cindy walked a few steps from him, wrapping an arm around herself as if she suddenly felt cold. They just stood in the hallway that led to the medical wing, silence looming over the two. '…I was terrified when Prompto stayed around Hammerhead…', she confessed.

Ignis raised a brow at this confession, shocked at the admittance. 'I knew he pined for me, and heck, I was flattered, but when it came to his feelings, I just, hoped he would give up'. 'But nope, he kept going until I eventually gave and tried dating him'.

Ignis could feel his heart strings being tugged roughly, feeling a sense of incomprehensible dread as Cindy kept talking. 'At first, I thought after one date, he'd give up and move to a more deserving gal, ya know? But…joke was on me, I fell for the man', she giggled sadly.

Cindy rubbed her arm, eyes down cast. 'Then, I got pregnant, and he then asked me to marry him', she said. 'And Vitae was born, I knew somehow, things were gonna be different'.

'I lost my parents when I was a kid, thanks to daemons. So, when I saw Prompto holding Vitae when he was just a babe, that smile on his face, the way Vitae giggled at him…'.

Cindy turned to Ignis with a watery smile. 'I thought back to how Paw-Paw raised me, and how I had only him as family, you know? Suddenly now I had a husband, a baby and a family of my own. I didn't feel so alone anymore'.

Ignis felt his own eyes grow moist, a pain he inflicted on Cindy's family, and this confession. 'I can't lose them Iggy…I just can't lose my family again', she pleaded, her voice barely holding together as tears ran down her cheeks like rain. Ignis gently swept her into a comforting hug, holding his own tears back for her. She didn't need his tears, she needed someone to assure her that Prompto and their son were safe, that they would live to see another day together.

Cindy gently sobbed into his shoulder, her body wrecked with sobs.

*Medical Wing*

The wing was filled with doctors and nurses running around the sterilized room, monitors beeping in gentle harmony while voices overlapping each other. Cindy and Ignis stood at the entrance of the wing, both searching for a doctor to speak with for Prompto.

'Where would they keep him?', Cindy asked.

'We'd normally have a section for the glaives, but I can't say I know if its in affect', Ignis admitted.

'Mom, uncle!'.

The two turned to see Vitae sticking his blond messy head out and waving at them madly, likely attempting to get their attention. It worked.

The two approached him as they pushed by the other doctors and pushed the curtains aside to see Prompto. The father was currently still sedated it seemed, judging from his sleeping form. His left arm connected to the IV to keep him hydrated likely, while his left leg was in a cast, held up with wires. Ignis wasn't entirely certain how bad the damages were to him, but from what he was able to deduce, it was bad enough for them to use at least four potions on his arms.

His leg…was another story.

'Vitae', Cindy gasped, immediately enveloping her son in a tight hug, the boy nestled into her for comfort. 'Are you alright sweet heart?', she asked.

'I'm…I'm fine, mom', he said, but his voice was shaky and tainted with fear. Ignis isn't surprised, his eyes were fixated on Prompto and his form.

'Excuse me, are you misses Argentum?', a doctor inquired, pushing the curtain back slightly. They turned on the doctor, who was carrying a notepad and judging from his tired eyes, he has been burning the midnight oil. 'Yes, I am', she said, standing to face him with Vitae holding her leg.

The doctor cleared his throat and with a nod from Ignis, ran his report. 'Your husband has lost a substantial amount of blood ma'am, along with several broken ribs, a fractured hip and a light concussion to the head', he listed. 'But he will recover from those in time, we're keeping him sedated while we use what healing potions, feeding him them through the IV'.

Relief shined on both mother and son, but Ignis looked at the leg. 'And his leg? How bad is it?', he inquired. At this, the doctor's face fell as he gave the wife and son a look of genuine sympathy. 'I'm afraid, the bone was decimated in the knee, we've tried using several hi-level potions but all they seem to do was dull the pain', he explained.

'I'm afraid…that the wound is ire-repairable'.

The air became tense as Cindy's gaze fell to her husband's leg, Vitae turning pale and almost looking as if he was having trouble breathing. 'M-Mom…I don't feel so good', Vitae whimpered, looking like he was almost ready to bawl into tears. Cindy knelt and quickly wrapped him in her arms, holding him tightly while the son hiccupped and cried.

'I am so sorry for this, we've tried everything, but we can do nothing for his leg', the doctor said, but his words were muted by the child's sobs and the sadness in Cindy's heart. Ignis himself couldn't tear his eyes off Prompto, a new wave of nausea washed over him as his eyes were fixed on the leg.

'Please, if there is anything we can do, do not hesitate to call us', he said, bowing before he departed. Ignis nodded as he left, turning to the Argentums. 'Cindy, I…', he tried, but all he could do was offer nothing they needed, no words can fix what had transpired. 'Iggy, I-I, I can't leave him', Cindy said.

'Of course not', he said affirmed. 'I'll have some of the staff prepare a room for you two and him'. 'Thank you', she gasped.

Leaving the family and once he spoken to with the head doctor, informing him of his phone number if any issue came up, Ignis then set his goal to see his son.

*Chancellor Office*

With most of the rooms still in need of refurbishing and repairs, Ignis had the children and parents excluding Cindy moved to his own office until they could find a more suitable room. Either way, the room was guarded by two of the last trust worthy guards, armed with swords and hand guns just in case of an enemy attack or worse.

Entering the room once he gave the guards a salute, the spectacled man was welcomed with silence oddly. Inside, he sees the children had fallen asleep on his couch, probably exhausted physically and emotionally from today's tragedy. On a chair watching over them was Yuria. Wearing a light grey jacket and a pair of denim jeans, her hair long and hazel coloured was tied into an elegant tail while her amber eyes were fixed on the children.

She turned to Ignis, a soft but saddened smile graced her lips. 'They've been sleeping since they claimed the couch', she revealed, speaking softly to avoid disturbing them. Ignis nodded, understanding. His eyes fell to Calli though, worry etched in his mind. The reports he got from the guards about his magic and even the boy's shaky confession had him borderline concerned. The ice wall he magically constructed was still up in the throne room, barely melted let alone shrunken.

'Coctura?', he inquired.

'She's…still answering Cor's questions', Yuria sighed. 'Its been only half an hour now, yet it feels like four hours since'.

The moment the boy's magic was revealed the Immortal had been adamant in learning more of his heritage and how he managed to use such a forgotten ability. Ignis himself may be able to use the three elements on his own but that was mostly thanks to his connection to Noctis' abilities, and even then, it was fairly limited compared to the Lucis.

Calli's magic though wasn't linked to the crystal or Aurora, and yet he managed to create a wall of ice in such density and height at such a young age. It certainly warranted concern absolutely, but Ignis wasn't concerned yet. He pulled himself a chair of his own, and placed himself on it, allowing himself to let out a sigh.

'How are you holding up?', Yuria asked, looking over him and grimacing at how exhausted he looked.

'I…have seen better days', he said, being generous.

'Same as Gladio', she giggled softly.

Ignis looked up at her, seeing the Amicitia gently twist and turn her wedding ring, eyes show casing worry. Ignis faintly remembers the day his brother proposed to her, but he always recalls the hours he spent ring searching and making. He did at least fourteen high ranking hunts just to find materials and obtain the funding for the accessory, just to make the perfect wedding ring for the perfect woman.

Ignis had never seen him so nervous, even in their roughest battles the man would wear the face of a true warrior and charge headfirst into danger, yet he squirmed and sweated over asking a woman he had been with for two years to give her hand in marriage.

'He was with the doctors for all of twenty minutes before he got back to work', she mused, smiling. 'No matter how bad he gets, he'd still get up and do his duty'.

'I saw him, he took up guarding Aurora for me', Ignis admitted.

'Hmm, least he's taking a small break', she hummed.

Slowly her eyes fell to her daughters, Forex snuggled into her sister's arms, the latter holding her close and protectively. Slowly she rose up from her seat and approached her treasures. Gently, she brushed her hand across their heads, tickling their scalps yet earning comforted sighs. A mother's touch Ignis presumed, a trait he never could imitate no matter how many years he spent guiding/raising Noctis.

Yet seeing this act of unconditional kindness only sunk his heart when he looked at his son. As if sensing his pain, Yuria gently patted Fulgur as he slept. He stirred softly before eventually he relaxed at the alien touch.

'You know what happened isn't your fault, yes?', she asked, turning to him. Ignis felt his urge to roll his eyes and scoff, almost like he was speaking to Gladiolus again. 'I'm not referring to what happened today, though it should go without saying you are blameless in this situation'.

He looked at her in question, the subject lost to him.

She simply gestured his son with a sympathetic look in her eyes. 'You are doing the best you can on your own with him', she assured.

Ah, so that was her concern.

Ignis is confident in himself, in many aspects of what he does and what he can do. Though he may have some days, he can safely say to himself he did a good job raising his son. Yet he couldn't help but feel he doesn't do enough for him, namely provide the comfort a mother could. Fulgur wasn't neglected, he'd sooner leave Insomnia all-together then even leave him alone, but he knows the boy often goes to an empty home most days as of late.

'She was the one who left him with you', she continued.

'I know, and I haven't forgotten do not worry. But…', he tried but his words failed him.

'Have you even heard from her?'.

'No, and I dare say I may never again'.

Ignis got up and joined her and looked at his son, slowly ruffling his messy hair. This time he let out a soft sigh and moved his head closer to his father's hand, senses well familiar with the gentle touch of his father. Ignis smiled softly, his heart at ease and worries slowly descended back into darkness for now.

Suddenly, Yuria retracted her hands from her children. 'Gladiolus and I are moving to Insomnia', she announced. Ignis turned to her, surprised. She gave him a friendly look. 'You probably have heard from him, but those two', she said, nodding to her children, 'were adamant they join the Crownsguard after what happened to Aurora'.

While the chamberlain knew Gladiolus told the kids about Aurora's heritage, he wasn't aware THEY were aiming to follow in his footsteps, but a part of him knew they were determined as their father and were likely as stubborn as their mother. 'And, how do you feel about that?', he asked carefully.

Yuria gave him a worried sigh as she rang a hand through her hair, pushing back some loose locks behind her ear. 'If I am honest…I wished they were scared off from it after today…', she commented. 'And I know Gladio would agree with me, but I also know those two, adore Aurora'.

'After today, that child has almost no one', she lamented. 'So, in a way, they want to stay with her', she said. Ignis could see himself in her spot, and no matter how proud he is that his son will stay by Aurora, the instinctual fear still clashed with it. He wondered if this is how his uncle felt when he joined the guard or did even Gladiolus' father feel the same worry for his son. Yuria gently kissed her kids' heads and sighed.

'No matter how I feel, this is what their dead set on', she confessed. 'But Gladio had better make sure they are ready, or he'll rue the day my babies got hurt'.

Ignis knew from past experiences when Yuria makes a promise, she will deliver on it. And moments like this make him wonder if Gladiolus was supposed to be their mentor…or is he going to mentor his kids out of mercy for them…

*Aurora's Room*

Still sleeping, almost a day now.

Ante kept her crystal blue eyes on the child of light, unmoving from her seat since she assigned herself to guard duty. The sun had slowly begun to descend below the city buildings, the golden rays dimming ever so slowly as the city enters the lunar's light.

Ante tilted her head softly when watching the princess, her tiny breathing was soothing to her yet at the same time she felt an unexplainable sensation in her chest. It felt as if something was constricted in it, it made her clench her hands on her knees tightly at times, and this odd urge to touch the child's head.

These sensations bothered her yet at the same time they fascinated her to no end. Do most people feel theses urges when guarding a person sleeping? Is it right to feel these? The King never mentioned these to her.

Looking at her hand, she decided to experiment with this feeling, pushing the doubts aside for a moment of curiosity, she gently brushed the fallen bang of blond hair aside the child's face. No reaction to this touch, the strand was brushed aside. She noticed however, a slight slow breathing reclining to a slower but relaxed pace.

Retracting her hand, she folded her hands on her lap. The door opened behind her, but she refused to move her head as her ears picked up the heavy footsteps of the Shield. He joined her side, arms folded yet his stance was at full alert.

'No change?', he asked.

'No. She remains still', she spoke, slow and soft.

The Shield's eyes fell on her she felt, not of distrust from his gaze but question. She understood his concern, she was an oddity to them all, a stranger that knows the child of light and protects her. 'So, who are you?', he asked.

'Ante', she said, though her memories told her she revealed this to them hours ago.

'I meant where did you come from? And how do you know Aurora?', the Shield argued.

'I was asked by the Chosen King to watch and protect the child of light', she said simply.

His stance became tense, annoyance radiates from him she feels. Why was he asking these questions so needlessly? She was sent to protect her, what more did they need to know?

'Noctis asked you? How? And how does a crystal become a human out of the blue…no pun intended', he said, his shifting.

She turned to him with a raised brow. 'Pun?', she asked.

The Shield awkwardly scratched his neck, bashfully. 'Because your hair is blue? "out of the blue"? Ya know?'.

Ante blinked, confusion was evident in her eyes as the words he speaks make sense yet it still felt like a language she had yet to understand. 'Look, back to subject. Are you the crystal?', he asked.

'Yes. I am the Crystal of Insomnia', she answered.

'But, you've a human body now', he pointed out.

Ante gently placed a hand on her heart, his words speak clarity now. '…yes', she confessed. 'Blessed by the King of Light, when his child's blood reawakened the links between I and the Line of Lucis', she explained.

The Shield turned to her, questions were still dancing around in his eyes she sees, questions she may not have the answers to. But before she could answer him, he simply turned his gaze back to the child. He then knelt to her level and brushed the back of his hand across her cheek, a change in breathing was seen by the crystal turned woman. It was more relaxed, and unless her eyes beguiled her, she noticed the princess subtly moving closer to the giant's hand.

'Don't worry kiddo, we're gonna be here as long as you need it', he promised. 'Just…don't sleep too much'. Slowly he got back to full height and exited the room, leaving Ante alone with the child.

That feeling in her chest felt even tighter… her eyes felt itchy…