Chapter 2

I held him close and whispered.

"Dr. Grant will be with you too. Be good when you come back for checkups, okay? If you miss me, draw me a picture."

Before the elevator doors closed, his little hand was still pressed against the glass, waving.

I turned and walked into the restroom.

Two years ago, during Leo's first emergency, I stayed at his bedside for sixteen straight hours.

Adrian sat with me in the hallway afterward. He took my hand and tucked it into his coat pocket.

"Lena, whatever you want to do, go do it."

"No matter how far you go, I'll be right there with you."

I believed those words for years.

I splashed water on my face and went back to the ward.

Sophie was standing in the doorway, clutching Leo's chart.

"I know Leo's really attached to you. I'll take good care of his followups."

I flipped open the chart.

"Appointment schedule's on page one. Allergy records are in the back."

She looked at me, voice small.

"You don't blame me?"

I shook my head.

"Adrian gave you the case. You don't owe me an explanation."

At noon, my mom Laura showed up with her latest test results.

A few nurses were chatting in the break area about this year's fellowship nomination. They didn't notice her.

"Dr. Bennett got screwed over. Her clinical scores and research record were the best in the department."

"Isn't she getting married? Adrian already has her transferring to outpatient after the wedding."

By the time I walked over, my mom's face had gone pale.

"Lena, you're not going to New York?"

"I am."

I was about to explain when Adrian stepped out of the elevator, carrying the lowsugar oat cookies she liked.

She didn't take them.

"Adrian, did Lena give up that opportunity because of me?"

Adrian glanced at me.

"Laura, don't overthink it."

"Lena staying in Boston is a good thing. Transferring to outpatient after the wedding will be easier on her. She'll have more time with you."

My mom's eyes went red instantly.

"I don't need her to stay for me."

"She's been preparing for this for three years. Last Christmas she was still reviewing her materials. You should be telling her to go."

"Mom, your results are normal. Go home."

She blinked.

"Then when are you leaving for New York?"

"A few days."

Adrian's face darkened immediately.

"Laura, she's been emotional lately. We'll talk about this another time."

My mom could tell something was wrong. She shoved the cookies back into his hands and left quickly.

The second the elevator doors closed, Adrian grabbed my arm.

"What the hell was that? Saying that in front of your mother?"

"I'm going to New York. What part of that is out of line?"

"Your slot already went to Sophie."

"Is there only one hospital in America?"

He faltered.

"You applied somewhere else?"

"Last night."

Adrian tightened his grip.

"Lena, enough."

"Dr. Grant asked me to look after Sophie and her mother before he died. I can't just ignore them. Do you really have to start this right now?"

Sophie's father, Michael Grant, had been Adrian's most important mentor during residency.

When Adrian first started at the hospital, Michael helped him land his first research position. Michael was the one who recommended him into their current department.

On his deathbed, he'd said only one thing to Adrian:

"If Sophie and her mother ever need help, look out for them."

All these years, Adrian carried that promise like a debt.

"You can help her."

I pried his fingers off my arm.

"Don't use what's mine to do it."

"It's one fellowship. You miss this year, you apply next year."

"Why can't she wait?"

"Her mother is sick. Her father's research is about to lose funding. She can't wait!"

Sophie can't wait.

So I can.

"Lena."

Sophie appeared in the doorway of a patient room. She was clutching a hospital admission form.

"Please stop fighting."

"I don't have to take the spot."

Tears pooled in her eyes.

"My dad's research — if it's gone, it's gone. Adrian, don't let me ruin your wedding."

"Nobody's asking you to give it up."

Adrian walked over and took the paperwork from her hands.

"What did nephrology say?"

"She needs to be admitted. My mom keeps crying. She says she doesn't want treatment anymore."

Adrian immediately pulled out his phone to call the ward.

Before he turned away, he glanced at me.

"I need to take her over there."

"I'll meet you at the apartment tonight."

I said nothing.

Sophie followed him a few steps, then looked back at me.

There was guilt in her eyes.

And relief.

The apartment we'd planned to move into after the wedding was under Adrian's lease.

I'd already canceled my own moving arrangements.

That evening, I went over to collect my books and personal things.

The living room was full of wedding favors, champagne, and invitations that hadn't been mailed.

The suitcase I'd originally bought for New York stood in the corner, stuffed with wedding gift boxes.

Adrian had given me that suitcase.

He'd smiled when he handed it over.

"When Dr. Bennett lands at some bigshot hospital, don't say I held you back."

I pulled the wedding boxes out one by one and set them on the floor.