Victor and I stood there for a long moment, the silence between us stretching uncomfortably as we both stared through the glass door of Mom's hospital room. Inside, Mom lay weakly on the bed while Elena sat beside her, talking softly.
Neither of us spoke.
The quiet felt heavy, like something pressing down on my chest. I folded my arms tightly, trying to keep myself together, while Victor stood beside me with that same calm, unreadable expression he always wore.
Then suddenly the door opened.
Elena stepped out, her phone still in her hand. She looked at me and smiled reassuringly, nodding slightly to signal that Mom was doing better now.
Relief rushed through me so quickly that it almost made my knees weak.
I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes before pushing the door open and walking inside.
