Judy’s POV

That day moved slowly, like time itself was tired.

The hospital room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the machines beside my mother’s bed. I sat close to her, holding her hand, afraid that if I let go, something bad would happen again.

Sophia sat near the window, pretending to scroll through her phone, but I knew her mind was far from calm. Every few minutes, she would glance at me, then quickly look away like she didn’t know how to start the conversation burning inside her.