Chapter 51

Cora POV

I didn’t cry in the conference room.

I didn’t cry in the hallway either.

I kept my head high as I walked past clusters of doctors pretending not to stare, pretending not to whisper. Every step felt measured, controlled—like if I lost rhythm for even a second, everything inside me would spill out.

By the time I reached the stairwell, my chest ached.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The moment it shut behind me, the silence swallowed me whole.

I leaned ...