Mandy slowly pulled back from Alina’s embrace, wiping her wet cheeks with trembling fingers. Her chest was rising and falling heavily as she turned to face the doctor again.

Her voice was hoarse when she spoke this time.

"Doctor…" she said, sniffling, "I wanna get rid of it.”

Alina’s head snapped toward her. "Mandy!"

Mandy didn’t flinch. She kept her eyes on the doctor, though more tears slipped down her face.

Alina stepped in front of her, trying to reason with ...