e Lily's bed. Ava hadn't moved in what felt like hours, her hand gently clasping her siste

d when the

sion. Her dark hair was tied into a neat bun, and her name tag read Dr. Elise Gr

ked gently, her voice

ing. "Yes, I'm Ava. Her older sister,"

mind stepping into my offic

moke. She gave Lily's hand one last squeeze

oss from a wooden desk. Medical degrees lined the walls, and a tissue box sat prominen

to a seat, and Ava

few tests and stabilized Lily for now," sh

hroat t

of cardiomyopathy. It's genetic, and unfortunately, her heart is

and unblinking. Her mouth o

he doctor continued gent

ike the r

the chair, her breath catchi

s. It's critical. If not treated immediat

stop them. She didn't sob, didn't break down with noise. She just sat

"I knew she was tired sometimes. I thought maybe it was

ntly. "It's inherited. Do you know if th

rgery in time. And my mother..." She exhaled shakily. She passed away three weeks later. Depression

ight of Ava's story sinking

w this isn't easy to hear." She reached for a folder on her desk and slid it toward Ava. "The

r hit lik

tunned. "Fifty

ctor said carefully. "Please, do whatever you can. Borrow. Fundraise.

respond. Sh

he force of silent weeping. She had nothing. No savings. No job that paid more than the minimum wag

that kind of money?" she w

houlder. "I know it feels impossible. But don't give up. You have two day

dded n

da

urs to save he

s already

ver before. The soft lighting of the hospital mocked her, re

sand dollars. Or I w

ep, her small frame barely making a dent in the stiff white sheets. The monitor

or. She pulled the chair close to the bed and sat down, gently taki

dn't let tha

gainst her sister's cheek. "Hey, baby," she whisper

va continued speaking a

. You've always been so strong, haven't you? Just like Mom use

she rested her forehead against their

pered. "But I'll find a way. I'll get the money

f silenc

press a soft kiss to Lily's forehead. "Hang in

he opened the door, she looked at her

alked without knowing where she was going, her thoughts a storm of fear and desperation.

even realize where her feet had taken her unt

et E

ind of place where the rich

e sheen of tears in her eyes. Her reflection stared ba

this was her

r soul,

ook a slow, trembling breath as the bass from ins

forward, reachin

red the