The next morning, Jane opened her eyes before her grandmother did.
At first, she couldn't remember where she was. Then she felt the stiff hospital chair beneath her and saw the familiar outline of her grandmother asleep in the bed.
Jane stood up as quietly as she could, stretched her sore legs, and slipped into the hallway. She came back a few minutes later holding a cup of tea.
Her grandmother stirred awake, glanced over, and saw Jane sitting next to her.
"You're still here?"
Jane smiled. "Good morning to you too."
"You didn't go home."
"No."
A frown creased her grandmother's face. "Jane."
"I told you I'm staying."
"You have school."
"I can miss a day."
"You said that yesterday."
"And I'm going to say it today."
Her grandmother let out a sigh. "You're wasting your time sitting here."
Jane reached for the breakfast tray. "I'm not wasting anything."
"You have a life."
"You're part of it."
Her grandmother stared at her for a while. "You've always made things difficult."
Jane smirked. "And you still love me."
Her grandmother's eyes softened, and she tried to look stern but failed. "Unfortunately."
Jane laughed. She helped her grandmother sit up, propped the pillow behind her back, and passed over the tea. "Careful."
Her grandmother took a sip. "Hmm. Not bad."
"That's the kindest review you've ever given hospital tea."
"Don't get used to it."
Jane grinned. This had become their routine—sharp little arguments, a few jokes, stretches of quiet that never felt awkward.
Jane made sure her grandmother ate some breakfast, reminded her about her medication, and listened while the doctor outlined the tests they still needed to run before surgery. Every time someone mentioned next week, Jane's stomach twisted, but she kept her voice even.
"I'll be here," she promised.
Her grandmother watched her. "You don't have to prove anything."
"I know."
"You're allowed to go home."
Jane shook her head. "I want to stay."
And that was that.
In the city, Sophia sat behind her desk, pretending to read the same page for what felt like forever. None of it was sinking in.
Her phone sat next to her laptop. Still nothing.
She picked it up, dialed Jane, and got the same result as before. Straight to voicemail.
No answer.
Sophia set the phone down. The office door swung open.
Ethan walked in. "Good morning, Doctor."
Without looking up, Sophia said, "Leave."
Ethan paused. "Someone's grumpy this morning."
"I have work."
"So do I."
"Then go do it somewhere else."
Ethan pulled out the chair across from her. "Nope."
She finally glanced at him. "No?"
"I came to see my favorite sister."
"I'm your only sister."
"That's why you're my favorite. It's automatic."
Sophia sighed. "Ethan, what do you want?"
He leaned back comfortably. "You look terrible."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
He studied her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're glaring at your phone like it failed you."
She picked up a file, hoping he'd get the hint. "I'm busy."
Ethan didn't budge. "Sophia."
She matched his tone. "Ethan."
"Did you two fight?" he asked.
She hesitated, just for a second. "Who?"
"Interesting," Ethan said, grinning.
Sophia's face hardened. "Did you actually come here to annoy me?"
"Mostly."
"Well, mission accomplished."
He stood up. "Fine. I'll go."
He started toward the door, but Sophia called his name.
He turned, eyebrows raised.
She tried to keep her voice steady. "Stop poking around in things that don't concern you."
Ethan's grin slipped a notch. "Alright."
He left and closed the door behind him. Sophia watched the door, then checked her phone again.
Still no calls. Still no messages.
She let out a shaky breath. "Where are you, Jane?"
That afternoon, Sophia drove back to the dorm. She'd already tried once today without any luck, and showing up again wasn't her favorite thing. But this time, there was someone at the reception desk.
Sophia walked up. "Excuse me."
The young woman looked up. "Yes?"
"I'm looking for Jane."
She glanced at Sophia, a little wary. "Jane?"
"Yes, Jane."
Before the woman could reply, footsteps sounded behind Sophia.
"Dr. Whitmore?"
She turned and saw Mia standing there. They both hesitated for a beat.
Then Mia's eyes widened. "Sophia?"
Sophia nodded, a little tired. "Hi."
Mia searched her face. "Is something wrong?"
"I've been trying to reach Jane," Sophia said.
Mia's demeanor shifted. "You haven't talked to her?"
"No. Not since yesterday morning."
Mia glanced down at the floor. Sophia noticed right away.
"What is it?" Sophia pressed.
Mia hesitated, twisting her hands together. "She didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
Mia exhaled slowly. "Her grandmother collapsed."
Sophia went still, her brain catching up. "What?"
"She got the call after class. Someone from the hospital told her her grandmother had collapsed."
Sophia stared at her, trying to process.
"She's at the hospital now?"
Mia nodded. "Yeah."
"Which one?"
Mia gave her the name.
Sophia repeated it quietly. "She left yesterday?"
"She went with me," Mia said.
Sophia gripped her phone tighter. "Why didn't she tell me?"
"She probably tried."
Sophia looked at her sharply. "What do you mean?"
Mia pulled out her own phone. "She was trying to call someone before we left. I thought she was calling you."
All those missed calls. Sophia remembered the silent phone, the empty inbox. Jane hadn't been avoiding her; she'd just been gone.
"She didn't know I was trying to find her," Sophia realized.
Mia shook her head. "She was scared. Her grandmother raised her after her parents died. That's all the family she has."
Sophia glanced away, that guilty ache building in her chest. Two days spent worrying Jane didn't want to talk. Meanwhile, Jane had been at the hospital with the only person she called family.
Sophia swallowed hard. "Is her grandmother alright?"
"She woke up, but she needs surgery."
"When?"
"Next week, I think."
Sophia nodded. "Does Jane have a place to stay?"
Mia gave a small, knowing smile. "She won't leave the hospital."
Sophia chuckled, despite herself. "That sounds just like her."
Mia nodded. "Yeah."
Sophia looked down at the hospital's name in her phone. "I should go."
Mia watched her. "You're really going to see her?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes. I am."
She headed for the exit, but Mia called after her. "Sophia?"
Sophia paused, turned. Mia's tone softened. "She might not even know you're coming."
"I know."
"You don't have to—"
Sophia cut her off. "I want to."
Mia smiled, just a little. "Then go."
Outside, Sophia stopped beside her car, staring at the hospital's address glinting on her screen. She climbed in, turned the key, listened to the engine start.
She had no idea what she'd say to Jane. Maybe Jane would be surprised. Maybe relieved. Maybe just tired.
But finally, Sophia knew where to find her.
She eased the car out onto the road and pointed herself toward the hospital.