April plastered a smile on her face as she pushed open the door to her mother’s hospital room. Her heart was heavy from her earlier conversation with Dr. Carter, but she couldn’t let her mom sense anything was wrong. Not yet, at least.
The soft click of the door made Ms. Elena stir, and her eyes fluttered open. When her gaze landed on April, a broad smile spread across her face.
“April, my darling!” Ms. Elena exclaimed weakly.
April hurried over, careful to avoid the wires and tubes connected to her mother. “Mom! Oh, it’s so good to see you awake.”
Ms. Elena raised a shaky hand, brushing her daughter’s cheek. “It’s so good to see you too. I missed you so much, April. How have you been?”
“I’ve been… okay,” April replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. She didn’t want to worry her moth
