Page 130 of Be My Wife

“Is she?”

“We don’t know. Even if we go through with the heart transplant now, she’s too weak to receive it. It might not make a difference.”

“I don’t care. If there’s even a chance—”

“Brogan, it’ll be too dangerous.” Ina’s eyes swim with tears. “We need to wait and monitor her.”

“Wait?”

“I’m sorry.”

“There must be something we can do.”

“The doctor will see how she responds to the medicine and then we’ll come up with a new plan.” She squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll do everything we can to save her, Brogan. I promise.”

The lump in my throat robs me of speech.

I nod.

Ina walks away while I gather the courage to enter Steph’s room.

After a few deep breaths, I stride in. She’s there. Lying on the bed like a fragile doll. Helplessly still.

I fall into the chair beside her.

Tears prick the back of my eyes.

“Steph,” I whisper. “Stay strong for a little longer, baby. Hold on for a little longer.”

The machines’ beeping is my only reply.

I grab one of her little hands.

They’re so small.

So cold.

I’m not used to her being this quiet. She’s usually jumping around. Chattering a mile a minute.

I want her to be okay.

I’d do anything to make her whole.

The fact that I have no control, that I can do nothing at all, is… torturous.

Elizabeth’s face comes to mind.

She’s probably meeting with Novah right now.

I hesitate.

Put my phone back in my pocket.

Take it out again.

I send her a text to let her know what’s going on and then I stay by Steph’s bedside, begging God to spare this precious little girl’s life.

Twenty-Six

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