|Katherine|
“Noel, how’s Grandpa?” The question left my lips the instant we stepped into his hospital room.
The familiar antiseptic scent hit me first, sharp and sterile, followed by the faint, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. My eyes found him immediately—Grandpa—lying so still beneath the white sheets, the same as the last time I’d been here. No change in his posture. No flicker of movement.
The doctor stood at his bedside, his expression calm but unreadable, two nurses positioned quietly just behind him. Near the foot of the bed was Noel, his posture straight, hands clasped in front of him. At the sound of my voice, he lifted his head, and his gaze shifted to meet mine.
“Ma’am Kat,” he greeted respectfully, before glancing behind me. “Sir Javier.”
I didn’t waste time. “What d
