The quiet hum of machines filled the hospital room. The rhythmic beeping of Maya’s heart monitor was the only proof that she was still fighting.
Leah stood by the door for a long moment, afraid to move. Her chest felt heavy, her hands trembling as she reached for the handle.
When she finally stepped inside, the world fell silent.
Maya lay on the bed, tiny and pale, a soft oxygen tube across her nose. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, as if in a dream. Leah bit down hard on her lip, fighting the sob that threatened to escape.
She moved closer, her boots soundless on the tiled floor. Sitting down beside the bed, she took Maya’s small hand in hers, rubbing her thumb across her sister’s knuckles like she’d done a thousand times before.
“Hey, baby…” Leah whispered, her voice cracking. “You s
