Chapter 53

The sterile smell of the hospital is suffocating. Every beep of the machines and whispered conversation in the corridor feels like an intrusion into the fragile bubble of hope I’m trying to maintain. My father’s surgery is over, and the doctors have given us a glimmer of good news—his condition is stable, but it’s still critical. The uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. My mother is seated across from me, her eyes red from crying, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. We haven’t spoken much since the doctor’s update, the tension between us palpable.

Finally, the door to the waiting area opens, and the doctor emerges. He looks tired but relieved, his expression a mix of professional detachment and empathy. As he leaves, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My mother’s gaze is fixed on the floor, her hands still clutched together. I walk over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Mom, it’s going to be okay,” I say softly. “Dad’s going to make it through this.”

She