The hospital room was dim except for the monitors beeping steadily beside Chloe’s bed. Zoe sat slouched in the corner, exhaustion written all over her face. Melinda stood by the window, arms crossed, staring into the dark sky as though searching for answers there.

After a long silence, Melinda finally spoke.

“Zoe… I need to tell you something. Something I should’ve admitted before.”

Zoe sat up straighter, wary. “What is it?”

Melinda’s voice carried a weight of shame. ...