In the suffocating hush that enveloped the room, time seemed to stand still. Everyone remained rooted in place, as if anchored by the weight of Oliver’s words. The muffled bustle of the hospital beyond their closed door hinted at a world moving on, but in that room, doubt and disbelief held them captive.
The doctor cleared his throat, breaking the spell. “Look,” he began, choosing his words carefully, “patients, after emerging from a coma, can sometimes grapple with distinguishing reality from dreams.” Liam exchanged a glance with his parents, who clung to the doctor’s words, perhaps searching for a semblance of reassurance. “It’s essential,” the doctor continued, “to give them time and not jump to conclusions based on their initial statements.”