Isabella’s brow furrowed with concern as she crouched closer to Esmeralda, her hands steadying the wheelchair. “Esme, please, breathe,” she said softly but firmly. “You’re hyperventilating. You need to calm down.”
“I can’t,” Esmeralda whimpered, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t handle this. Not now. Not after everything, this is too much.”
“You can handle this,” Isabella said, her tone unwavering. “But first, you need to take a deep breath. In and out, just like this.” She demonstrated, taking slow, deep breaths, and motioned for Esmeralda to follow.
Esmeralda struggled to match Isabella’s pace, her chest rising and falling unevenly. Slowly, her breathing began to steady, though tears continued to fall. She looked up at Isabella, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief. “I don
