"You should," Stella agreed softly. "You scared everyone. I almost fainted when I heard about your—" She stopped. The word caught in her throat.
Evelyn noticed immediately. Stella, who could lecture a room full of senior doctors without blinking, now looked like someone who had just accidentally broken a priceless vase and was debating whether to run or stay.
"About what?" Evelyn asked, genuinely confused. She tilted her head slightly, wincing at the pull in her chest. "Why do you look like you stole someone's boyfriend?"
Stella let out a weak, breathless laugh that didn't quite land.
She lowered her gaze instead of answering, her fingers fidgeting before finally reaching for Evelyn's hand. She held it tightly, as if letting go would make everything worse.
"Little sis..." Evelyn said gently, concern threading through her voice despite the ache in her body. "What's wrong? Are you in trouble? Tell me, what is it?"
