{IVANNA}
After six hours, Sergio came out of surgery in stable but serious condition and was taken to the ICU. The doctors explained the bullet went in through his back and out his side, and Maksim had likely saved Sergio's life by packing the wound with the sponges in the car.
During the operation, they repaired one of Sergio's kidneys and a torn portion of his small intestines and removed his gallbladder. They were optimistic about his recovery, but the risk of infection was high.
He hadn't woken up yet, and they were keeping him on a ventilator for now. But he was alive. Pale, but alive.
We arranged for a large private room, one with a small bed for me. Guards were posted outside the room and throughout the hospital itself. Anyone coming into Sergio's room had to wear special identification, including doctors and nurses. Considering Nikolai had escaped, we weren't taking any chances.
