Riley's father let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Thank you," he said, voice thick with emotion.
The doctor gave a small nod before stepping out to make further arrangements.
Riley wiped at her eyes, looking toward the door as if expecting Ethan to walk in at any moment. But he didn't.
Of course he didn't.
Maybe he wanted them to have time… but she was grateful for it, she didn't want him to see her in this sorrowful state, with tears streaking down her eyes and snot coming out of her nose. She turned back to her mother.
…
The doors to the hospital room swung open shortly after, and a team of doctors and nurses entered, their movements precise and practiced.
Without wasting a second, they began preparing to transport Riley's mother to the operating room.
The quiet hum of machines filled the space as they carefully unhooked and adjusted equipment, checking her vitals one last time before the move.
