Grace pressed on, her tone pleading. “Elena, we need to consider every option. I know the surgery is risky, but it’s a chance—a chance to fight this, to have more time. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.”
Elena shot up from the couch, pacing the room as anger bubbled to the surface. “Mom, we’ve talked about this. I’ve accepted my fate, and you need to do the same!”
Grace’s eyes filled with tears, but she held her ground. “How can you expect me to do that? You’re my daughter, Elena. I can’t just watch you give up without trying everything.”
Elena whirled around, her voice trembling with emotion. “Trying everything? Do you know what that surgery could do? What if it doesn’t work? What if it cuts my time even shorter?”
“But what if it doesn’t?” Grace countered, standing now, her own
