Chapter 273 - The Choice Left Behind

As they entered Nolan's room, the sight of the once-powerful man looking small and pale in the hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and IV lines, hit them both hard. Logan's breath caught in his throat. "Dad," he whispered, moving to the bedside. Nolan's eyes fluttered open, focusing with effort on his son. "Logan," he said, his voice weak but clear. "Don't... don't look so worried. Takes more than this to keep a Maine down." Logan managed a watery chuckle. "You scared us, old man." "Mr. Maine," the doctor interrupted gently. "We need to take you to surgery now." Nolan nodded, then looked back at Logan and Deonna. "You two... take care of each other. And tell Kayla... tell her Grandpa loves her." "You can tell her yourself when you're better," Deonna said firmly, blinking back tears. As the nurses began to wheel Nolan out, Logan leaned down, pressing a kiss to his father's forehead. "I love you, Dad. We'll be right here when you wake up." They watched as Nolan was taken