Evan’s heart pounded violently in his chest.
He stood just outside the hospital room door, his hand still gripping the cold metal handle. The words he had just overheard echoed in his mind like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.
“…the cancer…”
His breathing grew shallow.
For a moment he thought he had misheard.
He had to have.
But the silence inside the room felt too heavy. Too real.
He pushed the door open.
The soft creak of the hinges made both the nurse and his mother turn toward him.
Evan stepped inside slowly, his eyes already filled with fear.
His voice came out shaky.
“Tell me what, Mom?”
The room instantly filled with tension.
The nurse straightened slightly, sensing the panic rising in him.
“Evan,” she said gently, raising her hands a little. “Please calm down—”
