Anna’s vision blurred as she brushed a thumb against her mother’s pale cheek. Her chest felt light for the first time in months; the surgery was over, and the "Success" sign had finally flashed.
"Thank you for staying," Anna whispered. Her mother’s eyes remained closed, but her lips curled into a faint, shaky smile.
"The patient needs to sleep now," the doctor said softly. Anna nodded, lingering for one last look at her mother's steady breathing before stepping out into the hallway.
"I'm so glad the surgery went well," Jake said, leaning against the wall. The warmth in Anna’s expression vanished instantly. Her jaw tightened.
"I’m glad too," she snapped, her voice cold. "Once she’s back on her feet, I can stop pretending this life is normal."
Jake straightened up, his brow furrowing. "
