Elijah didn't expect to see Talia at the hospital.
Certainly not storming through the polished corridor of Atlanta General like she owned the place — her white coat flaring behind her, her jaw clenched, and her eyes set on one person.
Him.
"Elijah."
He turned, nearly spilling his coffee. "Talia? What—"
She held up the yellow envelope.
He froze.
"You thought I wouldn't find out?" Her voice was low, laced with fury, and edged with something more dangerous — disappointment.
"Ezra told you," he said.
"No, Elijah, the walls whispered it to me in my sleep." She stepped closer, jabbing a finger at his chest. "You switched the letters. You hijacked his future."
"I didn't hijack anything!" he snapped, voice rising. "He never would've left. You know him. He would've stayed for you and smiled through it all. Like he always does. And I— I needed this shot. For once."
Talia's eyes narrowed. "You don't get to decide what's best for him. Or take what's his just because he wouldn't fight you for it."
He swallowed hard, shoulders squaring. "You weren't supposed to find out."
"Yeah, well. I did." She stepped back, her voice cracking just slightly. "And now he thinks he has to stay here out of guilt. Out of responsibility. But I know Ezra. And if you knew him half as well as you think, you'd know this is killing him."
Elijah looked away. "I didn't mean to hurt him."
"But you did."
Talia turned and walked away before he could say anything else.
She needed air. Space. A plan.
That night, Ezra returned from another back-to-back trauma shift. His body ached, and his brain felt like static. He found Talia's message waiting for him.
Meet me in the hospital garden. Now. No scrubs. Just you.
He almost didn't go.
But the stars were out, and something about her voice in his head felt like gravity.
When he arrived, she was sitting on the bench near the fountain, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and two coffees at her side.
He sat beside her silently.
"I confronted him," she said.
"I figured."
"He didn't deny it."
"I didn't think he would." Ezra stared at the water, the moonlight shimmering across its surface. "He always wanted more. And I always let him take it."
"Ezra," she said, gently but firmly. "This time, don't."
He glanced at her, surprised by the fierceness in her eyes. "You really think I should report him?"
"I already did."
His eyes widened. "Talia—"
"No. Listen. If this were anyone else — if someone else had stolen your place in this program — you wouldn't hesitate to call it out. The only reason you're hesitating is because it's Elijah."
"And he's my brother," Ezra finished.
Talia reached out and took his hand. "He's also someone who doesn't believe you deserve your place unless he makes that decision for you."
Ezra closed his eyes.
She continued, softer now, "You're not just good enough, Ezra. You're better. And it's time people saw that."
He was quiet for a long moment, then nodded. "What happens if they ask for proof?"
"I have the emails. Your draft statements. Timestamped files. I dug deep."
He laughed a little. "I should be scared of how thorough you are."
"You should be grateful," she smirked.
"I am."
He leaned closer, and for a moment, the world paused.
But instead of a kiss, he whispered, "Thank you."
She nodded. "We're in this together. Always."