*Shelby*
I walked into the doctor's office, anxiety gripping my heart like a vice, which certainly wasn't helping my blood pressure. Each step felt heavier than the last as if the weight of the world rested upon my shoulders. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, and the sterile surroundings seemed to magnify the gravity of the situation.
I was starting to get tired of hospitals. And drama.
But I had no choice but to soldier on and face what I'd come here for. Even as I tried to calm my racing heart, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. What if the news I received was worse than expected?
The receptionist glanced up at me from her computer, offering a thin-lipped smile. "Can I help you?" she asked, her tone just a little too perky.
I swallowed hard, my th
