Out in the yard, the two children were laughing and playing with Stewart, their voices bright and joyful, carrying through the crisp winter air and into the house.

Briony watched them through the window, a gentle smile softening her features. "Star, help me take a few more photos and videos, would you?" she asked quietly. Stella's heart felt heavy, but she kept her expression calm as she nodded. "Of course." She reached for the camera and began snapping shots from every angle she could find.

In the snowy garden, Stewart crouched beside a snowman, the children flanking him on either side. The three of them turned together, glancing back at Briony as if drawn by the same thought.

Separated by the glass of the French doors, their eyes met-mother and father, son and daughter-a family united by a single, silent gaze.

Briony lifted her hand, her fingertips pressing gently against the cold pane.

Click.

Stella captured the moment perfectly.

She stared at the image on the camera's screen, her breath catching, tears stinging at her eyes.

Clarke had said that if a donor couldn't be found soon,

Stella turned away quickly, wiping her face before anyone could

entertain guests for long, so after a short visit, they took

and

but now, with the house empty, she returned to her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, drifting into a deep, exhausted

over the room. Briony was slumped against the headboard, sleeping so deeply that even

for so long. His chest ached with helpless sorrow. He knew how brave she'd been, holding on for the sake of their children, but the

to give in, but the illness had

prognosis was grim. No one told Briony, but Stewart felt sure she already

wake her. Instead, he slipped into the bathroom and

half-sleep, Briony felt something cool brushing gently over her face. Her eyes fluttered

help you clean your face. Once you've had

managed a faint

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