Ethan’s shoulders were tense, his back straight against the pale green wall.

He nodded several times, his face pale.

Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

He showed Dr. Rao something on the screen.

She looked at it, then looked up at him with a softer expression.

After a few minutes, Ethan walked back into the waiting room.

“What is it?” I asked, standing up.

“Her fever broke,” Ethan said.

A wave of relief washed over me so strongly I had to hold onto the chair.

“Thank God,” I whispered.

“But she’s not out of the woods yet,” Ethan said.

“Her lungs are still very weak.”

“The doctor wants to try a new treatment, but it’s expensive.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ethan said, looking down at his hands.

“I have enough personal savings to cover whatever she needs.”

“They are moving her to a private room now.”

“Can we see her?” I asked.

“One at a time,” Ethan said.

“You go first, Evelyn.”

“She needs to see a familiar face when she wakes up.”

“What about you?” I asked.