**County Clinic — 7:02 AM**
Albert sat beside her bed, watching her sleep. Her face was pale but calm, chest rising in shallow rhythm.
When she woke, she didn't speak right away.
Just looked at him.
Then: “I have three things to ask."
Albert straightened. “Anything."
She nodded. “Good. Then listen."
**First**
“I want to see the sea again."
He reached for his phone. “I'll have a car—"
“No. Just you and me. No black sedans. No Maroni shadow. One overnight bag. One window seat."
He nodded slowly. “Okay."
“Not for a treatment. Not for a goodbye."
“For what, then?"
“To remember I once breathed free air."
**Second**
“I want to be buried beside my parents. Under their real names. Not Knox. The ones before the Maroni lawyers erased them."
Albert's breath caught. “You'll have that.
