**Out of sight, out of mind**

The hospital’s corridors were quieter in the morning than they had been the day before. Not that it mattered. Valentina didn’t come for atmosphere. She showed up because she’d said she would, because the appointment had been set, and because she couldn’t shake the pressure of needing to be present—especially now that the treatments had actually started. She didn't want to miss anything.

The nurse at the reception gave her a short nod of recognition. ...