The nurse checked the file beside Theo, her smile reassuring. "Let's see here. Everything looks good," she said with a smile, glancing at the readings displayed on the file.

"Okay," Theo replied, trying to muster a sense of calm, but the uncertainty still gnawed at him.

The nurse noticed the tension in his voice. "Hey, what's wrong? Can I turn on the TV for you or get you another pillow?" she offered, her tone warm .

Theo hesitated, his gaze dropping to the sheets. "What if my surgery didn't work? What if I can never walk again?" His voice trembled, the fear creeping in.

The nurse's expression softened as she knelt beside his bed, meeting his eyes with compassion. "You can't think like that," she said firmly but gently. "You've been through a lot, and it's going to take time. But you're strong, and we're going to help you every step of the way."

Theo swallowed hard, the weight of her words slowly sinking in. "But what if..." he started, but the nurse interrupted him.

"I know what'll make you feel better. A big piece of chocolate cake. How's that sound, huh?" she said with a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Theo couldn't help but chuckle softly, the image of chocolate cake bringing a small flicker of joy. "Sure," he replied, a hint of a smile breaking through his worries.

"Be right back," the nurse said cheerfully, standing up and heading toward the door.

—————

The therapy room was bright, filled with the sounds of encouragement and the occasional clatter of equipment. Theo sat in his wheelchair, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he steeled himself for what lay ahead. In front of him stood a set of walking bars, gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

Tasie stood beside him, her eyes filled with unwavering support. "You've got this. Just take it one step at a time," she encouraged, her voice steady and reassuring.

With a deep breath, Theo gripped the bars tightly, feeling the cool metal against his palms. He focused on the goal ahead, envisioning himself standing tall and proud. Slowly, he pulled himself up, his muscles trembling with effort as he transferred his weight from the wheelchair to the bars.

"Nice job! You did it!" Tasie exclaimed as she moved closer to help steady him.

But as Theo stood there, his legs felt like lead, heavy and uncooperative. He shifted his weight, trying to will his feet to move, but they remained stubbornly still. Panic began to rise in his chest. "Tasie, I can't... I can't get my feet to move," he admitted, frustration lacing his voice.

"Hey, it's okay," she said quickly, her hands on his shoulders, grounding him. "Just breathe. Remember what the therapist said—it's all about finding that connection again. Let's take it slow."

Theo nodded, trying to focus on her words. "I just thought... I thought it would be easier," he murmured, disappointment creeping in.

Tasie smiled gently. "You've come so far already. Let's try again together. Focus on your breathing. In and out."

Taking a deep breath, Theo tried to center himself. He felt Tasie's hands giving him strength. "Okay, okay," he said, his voice steadier now. "What do I do?"

"Let's start with your left foot. Just think about moving it forward. I'll help you," she instructed, her tone encouraging.

With her guidance, Theo concentrated on his left leg, visualising it lifting and moving. He imagined the sensation of his foot hitting the ground, but it felt like a distant dream. "I can't feel it," he said, frustration bubbling up again.

"Just give it a little push. You're stronger than you realise," Tasie encouraged, her eyes locked onto his. "I'm right here with you."

Theo focused all his energy on his left foot. He felt his muscles tighten, and slowly, he managed to shift his weight just enough to drag his foot forward. It barely moved, but it was enough.

"Oh my God, yes! You did it!" Tasie cheered, her excitement lighting up the room. "Now let's do the other foot!"

Theo couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. He focused again, this time on his right foot, willing it to move. It felt like an eternity, but he managed to inch it forward.

"See? You're moving! One step at a time," she praised, her voice filled with pride.

It was hard, and it was slow, but he was doing it. "Okay, okay. I can do this," he said, determination flooding back into his voice.

"Yes, you can! Just keep going; I'm right here," Tasie replied, her faith in him igniting a newfound strength within.

—————

The sun shone brightly as they pulled up to Terry's mansion. After weeks in the hospital, the sight of this new home brought a feeling of excitement and anxiety for Theo, who sat in a wheelchair, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.

As they arrived, the moment they stepped out of the car, they were immediately met by the blinding flashes of cameras and the shouts of paparazzi who had gathered outside. "Theo! Theo! How are you feeling? What's next for Social Scum?" they called out.

Elise instinctively stepped closer to her son, her protective instincts kicking in. "Just ignore them, honey," she murmured, her focus solely on Theo.

Before they could make a move, Terry appeared at the front door, a confident smile on his face. He was dressed sharply, exuding an air of authority as he approached the commotion. "Everyone, please stand back! We'll be issuing a statement shortly," he said firmly, raising a hand to wave off the cameras. "Security is here to ensure everyone's safety."

With Terry's security team moving in to create a Barr between them and the press, Theo felt a sense of relief wash over him. "Let's get you inside," Terry said, gesturing for Theo to follow him.

As Pete and Tasie stepped up to help, Pete knelt beside the wheelchair. "Okay, Theo, we're going to lift you out and get you inside, alright?" he said, a reassuring smile on his face.

"Just lift me carefully, please," Theo replied,.

With practiced ease, Pete and Tasie worked together, gently lifting Theo from the wheelchair. "One, two, three... and up!" Tasie said, her voice filled with encouragement as they carefully maneuvered him.

Once they had him steady, they wheeled the chair inside, where the grand foyer of the mansion awaited them. The opulent decor and spacious layout took Theo's breath away. "Wow, this place is incredible," he said, feeling a mix of awe and gratitude.

"Yeah, it's definitely a change from that boring hospital room," Tasie added, her eyes dancing around.

Terry led them through the impressive hall filled with art and elegant furnishings. "You're going to love it here," he said warmly. "There's plenty of space for you to rest and recover."

As they settled into the living room, Elise turned to Theo, her expression showing her concern. "How are you feeling about everything, sweetheart?" she asked softly.

"Honestly? A bit overwhelmed," Theo admitted, glancing back at the windows where the paparazzi were still clamoring for attention. "It's just... a lot to take in."

"Just let Uncle Terry handle it," Tasie added. "You focus on getting better. That's what matters most right now."

Theo nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

Terry returned after a moment, a confident grin on his face. "I just spoke with the media. They'll be kept at bay while you settle in. Just give it time, and they'll move on to the next big story," he reassured them.

"Thanks, Uncle Terry," Theo replied, feeling a wave of gratitude. "I didn't expect this much attention."

"It comes with the territory, especially being the frontman of Social Scum," Terry said, his tone light. "But you'll learn to navigate it at your own pace. Right now, focus on your recovery and enjoying your time here."

After settling into the spacious living room, Terry gestured for everyone to gather around. "Alright, everyone, I want you to meet some important people," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Theo looked up, curiosity piqued. "Who are they?" he asked, a hint of nervousness in his tone.

"Your physical therapy team," Terry replied, a smile on his face. "They're the best in the business."

Just then, the door opened, and two individuals entered the room. One was a woman in her thirties, with a clipboard in hand. The other was a tall man with a friendly smile and a confident stride.

"Hey everyone, my name is Lisa," the woman said, stepping forward. "I'll be one of your therapists, Theo. This is my colleague, Mark."

"What's up, man? Great to meet you," Mark added, clapping hands with him. "Heard you're already shuffling your feet? That's good."

Elise smiled. "Thank you for being here. We really appreciate it."

Lisa nodded, her expression sincere. "We know this can be a challenging time, but we're here to support you every step of the way."

Theo took a deep breath. "What's the plan?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Mark stepped closer, leaning against the arm of the couch. "We'll start with some assessments to understand your current progress and any challenges you might be facing. From there, we'll create a personalised therapy plan tailored just for you."

Lisa chimed in, "It'll involve a mix of exercises, stretches, and techniques to help you build strength in your legs and improve your balance. We'll also focus on pain management and mobility, so you can start moving around more comfortably."

Theo felt a surge of determination as he listened to their words. "Okay, I'm ready," he said, his voice steady.

"My man!" Mark said enthusiastically. "And remember, it's about progress, not perfection. We'll celebrate every little victory together."

Terry smiled, clearly proud of his team. "You're in great hands, Theo. Now, let's get you set up for your first session. I've turned the spare room by the pool into a therapy area."