Chapter 46

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Grace was so deep in thought that she barely noticed the familiar landscape outside the plane window. The fields and rooftops she hadn't seen in years blurred into an indistinct patchwork. The bittersweet rush of returning home was overshadowed by a gnawing anxiety. She hadn't been back in so long, and now there was no time to savor the moment.

The plane's wheels touched down, jolting her from her thoughts. As soon as she stepped off the plane, she realized there was no one there to greet her. The emptiness ate at her, but there was no time to dwell on it. She flagged down a taxi and, with a heavy heart, directed the driver to the hospital.

There was no time to go home or check into a hotel. She clutched her luggage tightly, the wheels clattering against the polished hospital floors as she rushed through the entrance. At the front desk, a cluster of nurses bustled about, their uniforms crisp and white under the fluorescent lights. Her mother’s case was well-known here; everyone se