Boston Memorial's research wing pulsed with sterile energy—white walls, soft beeping, and the low hum of machines that promised miracles.
Katherine clutched Lily's chart as they stepped inside the lab.
Zahra Patel looked up from a tray of polymer scaffolds. Her eyes were tired, her expression sharp. “You're early."
“We wanted to see the heart," Katherine said.
Zahra led them to a glass enclosure. Inside, a translucent structure pulsed in sync with a simulation algorithm. It looked fragile and luminous, like a jellyfish made of crystal and code.
“This is Lily's," Zahra said. “Model #7B. Pediatric size. Customized electrolyte channels. Synthetic capillary architecture."
Katherine blinked. “It's beautiful."
“It's unproven," Zahra added.
Aiden stepped forward. “How long can it hold?"
