Chapter 42

"Matt, I was so scared." The moment Matteo stepped into Juliana's hospital room, Penelope threw herself into his arms. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her entire body shook uncontrollably. "My mom was coughing up blood." The moment he received her frantic call, Matteo had dropped everything and rushed over. By the time he arrived, the medical team was already there, conducting a thorough examination. As Matteo held her, trying to soothe her, the doctor finished the check-up and turned toward them. "There's no need to panic. It wasn't actually vomiting blood. It was just a small amount of blood in the phlegm from a ruptured capillary caused by a violent coughing fit. It's just a minor issue that the body can heal on its own," he said reassuringly. "Thank God," Penelope whispered, the tension finally leaving her shoulders. After the doctor left, she looked up at Matteo with a mixture of relief and embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I was just so scared, and you were the only person I