“Okay,” Elissa replied, nodding.

Once they reached Addy’s room, Hadley opened the door without hesitation.

Inside, Addy lay quietly on the bed. His body was connected to wires and monitors, with an IV line running into his arm. A thin tube fed into one nostril, and an oxygen line rested beneath the other.

“Grandpa.” The word caught in Elissa’s throat. Tears spilled down her face the moment she saw him.

She clung to his frail hand, struggling to steady her voice. “I’m here. Can you hear me? You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m okay. You have to get better, alright?”

Elissa pressed his hand gently to her cheek, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry for causing you so much heartache.”

Hadley stood by the window, her back turned, unable to handle the heaviness in the room.

“It’s me, Grandpa. I’m here,” Elissa pleaded, desperate for any sign from him.

Addy let out a faint sound from the hospital bed. It was barely more than a sigh, but it was there.

“Grandpa!” Elissa’s breath caught. She wondered if she had only imagined it.

“Mr. Holland?” Hadley’s head whipped around. “I heard it too, Elissa! He knows you’re here!”

Addy struggled to open his eyes, the effort draining what little energy he had left. Then, all at once, his hand moved and his fingers wrapped around Elissa’s.

“Grandpa?” Elissa stilled, heart pounding as she waited for another sign. “Are… Are you…”

Addy’s voice came out slow and broken, each word costing him. Elissa didn’t need him to finish. She understood.

Fresh tears streamed down her face as she bent close. “I’m alright. I really am. I promise.”

Another long breath escaped his lips, softer than before.

Addy’s grip weakened, and his hand slowly slipped away from hers.

“Elissa.” Hadley’s eyes glistened as she reached out to steady Elissa. “We need to go now. He knows you’re safe, and that’s what matters. Let’s leave him to rest.”

“Okay!” Through her tears, Elissa nodded, her body shaking. “I know.” She leaned on Hadley’s arm for support as she slowly got up.

Hadley helped her to her feet, steering her gently out the door.

Tears blurred Elissa’s vision. “He’s barely holding on.”

Although Addy had battled poor health for years, Elissa had never witnessed him in such a fragile, perilous condition.

Hadley refused to give hollow reassurances. She simply told her, “The top doctors are on the case.”

“I know…” Elissa nodded, her voice shaking as she tried to hold back her tears.

Just as they stepped outside the ward, Elissa suddenly spun around and dropped to her knees.

“Elissa?”

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