Chapter 9

When we arrived at the hospital, a woman with a kind face but weary eyes greeted us. "You must be Seraphina Bennett," she said, her voice carrying a familiar warmth. "I remember you. You and Victor were childhood friends, weren’t you?" As she spoke, I felt a flicker of recognition. "When I heard your name, it sounded familiar. Isn't this the name Victor used to mention all the time when we were little?" She nodded, wiping away a tear. "Victor's mother passed away when he was young. He grew up isolated. I remember him always talking about you... and another boy named Alexander Stone. I assume that’s you?" Aunt Sylvia Hale reached out to us, pulling us closer. "Victor’s a good kid. It’s just his circumstances… they made him shut himself off from people. If he ever hurt either of you during your time together, please don’t take it to heart." She paused, her emotions beginning to overwhelm her. "His father is the leader of th