“I’m not afraid of big promises.”
“You should be,” Lillian said. “Big promises don’t come easy.”
“Neither does walking away when you shouldn’t.”
For the first time, something like approval moved through her expression.
“Don’t make it about guilt,” she said.
“I won’t.”
“Make it about what comes next.”
Daniel nodded. “All right.”
By morning, the cardiologist arrived.
Dr. Reynolds was calm, direct, and serious. He explained that Lillian had a significant blockage affecting blood flow to her heart. The procedure was not without risk, but without it, the situation could worsen quickly.
Annie listened with both hands wrapped around Lillian’s fingers.
“You should do it,” Annie said.
Lillian turned her head. “You always this bossy?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Clare laughed softly.
Daniel asked, “Timeline?”
“We’d like to proceed today,” Dr. Reynolds said. “Sooner is better.”
Daniel looked at Lillian. “Do it.”
Lillian raised an eyebrow. “You giving orders now?”
“No, ma’am. I’m making sure they don’t wait.”
She studied him. “And you’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes moved to Annie, then Noah, then Clare, then back to Daniel.
“All right,” she said.
When they wheeled Lillian toward the procedure area, Annie walked beside her until the nurse stopped at the double doors.
“This is as far as you can go.”
Annie held Lillian’s hand for one last second.
“I’ll be right here,” she said.
Lillian nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
It was a promise neither could guarantee, but both needed to hear.
The doors closed.
Annie stood staring at them.
Daniel stepped beside her. “She’s in good hands.”
“How long?”
“A couple of hours. Maybe less.”
Annie sat because Clare guided her down, but her body remained tense, ready to spring up at the slightest movement.
Time passed with sharp edges.
A nurse came out once, then disappeared. Another passed by without stopping. Clare walked ten steps away and came back. Daniel remained still, but stillness was not calm. It was control.
Finally, Dr. Reynolds emerged.
Annie stood before anyone spoke.
The doctor looked at the three of them.
“The procedure went well.”
The tension broke.
Annie did not cry. She simply exhaled as if she had been holding her breath since the night before.
“She’s okay?”
“She’s stable. We addressed the blockage. She’ll need time to recover, but this was the right step.”
Daniel closed his eyes for one second.
Clare’s hand landed on Annie’s shoulder without hesitation now.
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