Chapter 78 The Price ofSurvival

　　Raymond’s POV 　　Time had lost all meaning. 　　Day and night blurred together, melting into an endless haze of waiting. I barely noticed when the sun rose or when the moon took its place. The only thing that mattered was the steady, fragile rhythm of Caitlyn’s breathing. 　　I sat beside her bed, my fingers laced with hers, refusing to let go. 　　The healers came and went. Their whispers were hushed, their faces grim. They spoke in careful tones, as if saying the wrong thing might shatter what little hope remained. They worked tirelessly, pouring their magic, their knowledge, their strength into her. 　　But nothing changed. 　　She didn’t stir. 　　Didn’t open her eyes. 　　Didn’t speak. 　　The strongest woman I had ever known—the one who had faced the Abyss and won—was lying there, unmoving. Silent. 　　I tightened my grip on her hand, rubbing my thumb over her skin, willing her to wake up. “Caitlyn,” I murmured. “I know you can hear me.” 　　No response. 　　My chest ached. I leaned forward, pressing