She pulled the frayed cuff further down over her right knuckle.

“He told me I was making a big deal out of nothing,” she said.

“He said I was ruining our family plans.”

I leaned forward and rested my forehead against the plastic bed rail, keeping my hand wrapped around hers.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Grace,” I said.

“You’re completely safe here, and nobody is canceling anything.”

Grace let out a long breath, her eyes closing as the IV drip clicked quietly overhead.

Her thumb stayed tucked in my palm, warm and relaxed, as her breathing grew slow and even.