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The room disappears.

The words I’ve been avoiding for two days lodge themselves in my throat, and suddenly I can’t breathe or think.

I can’t do this.

But I promised him.

No lies.

I swallow and brace myself, trying to turn everything inside me off long enough to get the words out. Just for a second, this isn’t about me. This needs to be said, and he deserves to know it.

“They aren’t.”

His smile falters. “What?”

“They aren’t doing chemo anymore, baby.”

Confusion flickers across his face before disbelief takes its place.

“What do you mean?” His eyes find mine, searching, waiting for me to explain. “But I need it.”

My heart breaks right there in front of him.

“I know.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “No, let’s wait for the doctor.” He forces a laugh, a desperate one. “She’ll explain it better.”

Nobody moves. Nobody speaks.

And then I see it.

The moment it all clicks and the light leaves his eyes when they lock onto mine.

“No.” His voice cracks. “You tell me.”

I close my eyes for just a second. When I open them again, tears are already falling.

“You promised me, Vita.” His fingers tighten around mine. “So tell me.”

I nod because he deserves the truth, even if it kills me to give it to him.

“The antibiotics are working, baby. The infection is getting better, but your kidneys and liver are still failing. Your body isn't recovering.”

His face goes white, but I keep going because if I stop now, I never will.

“The doctors think another round of chemotherapy would be too dangerous. They think it could kill you.”

His breathing changes.

Faster.

Sharper.

I recognize the panic immediately.

“No.”

I squeeze his hand. “Damiano—”