The words were meant to be reassuring.
Instead, they felt like a spotlight.
“Thank you,” Evie managed.
Patel nodded. “Now go check on your patients. And Doctor Brooks?”
“Yes?”
“You’re allowed to have a hard day. Just don’t let it become a hard month.”
She walked away before Evie could respond.
Evie stood in the hallway for a moment, feeling the weight of that kindness settle over her like a blanket she didn’t want. She didn’t need understanding. She needed distraction. Work. Something to keep her mind from circling back to Maggie’s empty office and the text thread she couldn’t bring herself to delete.
She pulled out her tablet and opened Daisy Carter’s chart.
Time to work.
The light in Daisy’s room had changed since yesterday.
Not the fluorescent overhead—that was the same harsh white it always was. But something about the quality of the afternoon sun filtering through the blinds felt thinner. More fragile.
Daisy was awake when Evie entered, her breathing labored but steady. Kara sat in her usual chair by the window, phone clutched in one hand, eyes red-rimmed and exhausted.
“Doctor Brooks,” Kara said, standing quickly. “We didn’t know if you’d—I mean, we heard Doctor Laurel was?—”
“I’m still here,” Evie said gently, crossing to Daisy’s bedside. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Kara’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Good. That’s good.”
Evie checked Daisy’s vitals, adjusting the oxygen flow slightly, her hands moving with practiced efficiency. Daisy’s eyes tracked her movements, sharp despite the exhaustion written into every line of her face.
“Where’s Doctor Laurel?” Daisy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evie’s hands stilled for just a moment before she forced herself to keep moving. “She’s taking some time off. But I’m still overseeing your care.”
Daisy studied her. Really studied her. “You two... had a fight?”
Evie’s breath caught. “What?”
“I see things,” Daisy said slowly, each word an effort. “Even when... I’m barely here. The way you looked at her...”
Kara shifted uncomfortably. “Mom, that’s?—”
“It’s okay,” Evie said quietly, meeting Daisy’s gaze. She owed her honesty. This woman was dying, and she was wastingprecious breath worrying about Evie’s heartbreak. “We... had a disagreement. About something important.”
Daisy’s lips curved faintly. Not quite a smile, but close. “Don’t... waste time. Being angry, honey.”
Evie’s throat tightened. “It’s not that simple.”
“Yes it is.” Daisy’s eyes drifted closed, then opened again with visible effort. “Life’s too short. Trust me. Take one look at me, and re-think whatever you have to think about.”
The words hit harder than Evie expected.
She looked at Kara, who was crying silently now, tears streaming down her face unchecked.
“Rest now, Daisy,” Evie said, her voice rough. “Save your strength, and don’t worry about me. I get to worry about you, that’s my job.”
