The Cost Of Forever

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, my eyes wide open. I had dozed off with my head on the side of Lila's hospital bed, and briefly, I

va

as I look up. Lila's eyes, groggy an

e thick with disbelief.

is happening. Despite being frail, her fingers still return the pressure of my h

e cracking, while leaning my forehead ag

though the burden of the world is momentarily lifte

y still. I need help. "I'm goin

se! Get Dr. Emily, please! She's awake!" My voice is trembling, filled wi

eyes wide with surprise before

ne with shaking hands and dial Lucas first. It

What's

," I blurted out qui

el him taking in what I've just sai

m falling now, my voice shaky but

esolute with the sounds of him preparing

. I don't give her a chance to speak

she takes a sharp breath and it ech

arter is coming to check on her

said with her voice filled with emotion. "I c

in my chest. She's looking at me, her expression soft but weak.

while smoothing the hair from her forehead. ""How are you

s fluttering lethargically as i

I softly murmur. "But you're h

immediately by Lila's side, checking her vitals, her movements swift but thorough. I sit t

sk, my voice bare

d professional, but with a hint of relief in he

by the unspoken truth lingering in the atmospher

responding well. She'll need lots of rest, and we'll closely monitor her progress, but for no

ve of relief that almost makes my

but we must closely monitor her condition. I hope we can delay the illness from advan

It's not over, I know that. But for

en, and Lucas rushes in, breathless. "Eva?" He looks fro

tears that well up in my e

sharing my relief. "I just knew she will get through this

find my words as I come to terms

s directly to Lila's bedside and softly runs her hand along Lila's arm.

face she embraces me. "I'm so

tween joy and fear. Lila's awake, but t

n my mind: *"We're only

tic. "I will solve this," I whispered, directing my words mainly a

his hand on my shoulder

s, nodding. "One st

take a deep breath, feeling the weight on my shoulders, but

y that gives me ren

ve a reason to ke