Alice's face lit up with a hopeful smile. "Do you have an idea, Elaine?"

I hesitated.

I did have an idea, but it was one that even Ashton wouldn't dare to consider. How could I?

If the surgery succeeded, it would be a miracle. But if it failed, Ashton's inability to forgive me would be the least of our problems. Losing Alice would destroy him.

My silence lingered too long, and Alice interpreted it as the absence of hope. ...