The hospital had finally quieted, though the chaos from earlier still lingered, heavy and sticky, like smoke clinging to the walls.
My body ached from hours of work, yet my mind refused to rest.
Joy leaned against the table, sipping water.
Miriam slumped in a chair, stretching her sore arms with a tired groan.
Dora stood by the window, staring at the city lights shimmering in the night.
When she saw me, her face lit up.
“Juliet!” she called, hurrying toward me.
“Thank you… really,” she said softly.
“For what?” I asked.
“For letting me assist Vincent earlier.”
There was genuine gratitude in her eyes, and something in the way she said it made my chest tighten.
“I know I insisted a lot,” she continued shyly, “but I really wanted to help today.”
I nodded slowly. “It’s fine.”
Then
