LILA'S POV
The ICU room smelled faintly of antiseptic. It was a cold, sharp scent that usually made my stomach twist, reminding me of sterile hallways and lonely waiting rooms.
But right now, I barely noticed it.
Machines beeped softly in the background, a steady, rhythmic cadence that proved the steady rise and fall of her chest.
Mom looked weaker than I had ever remembered. The woman who used to seem invincible, even in her worst moments, looked incredibly small beneath the heavy hospital blankets.
Her face was pale, almost translucent under the harsh fluorescent lights. Her hair was messily tied back, a few stray silver-and-brown strands sticking to her forehead.
But...
She was awake.
The moment her eyes fluttered open and landed on me, the exhaustion in them seemed to vanish, r
