DAVID’S POV
“I found a solution.”
Her eyes darted from her father to me like she couldn't decide who to look at. Like this was a chessboard and she was suddenly in checkmate.
Dr. Bennet leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “What do you mean by you found a solution, David?”
Before I could open my mouth to respond, Kate stood up, her hand clamping around mine in one swift motion.
“Excuse us,” she said, sharp and fast.
She didn’t wait for approval. She just dragged me out into the hallway, gripping my wrist like it owed her money. Her energy was wild — furious, anxious, confused.
And all I could do was follow, half-stunned. Once we were a few feet from the office, she whirled around.
“What the hell was that supposed to mean?” she snapped, her finger jabbing in the direction we came from.
I blinked. “I said I found—”
“I heard you,” she cut me off. “You said you could help. Like I need your help. Like I need your pity.”
That stung.
I clenched my jaw, keeping calm. “It’s not pity, Kate.”
Her eyes flashed. “Don’t lie.”
“I’m not.”
She folded her arms. “Then what? You go missing for two days and come back playing hero? What am I supposed to do with that?”
I took a step forward. “I wasn’t gone on vacation, Kate. I was working. Looking for something that could help. And I found it. There’s an experimental trial. I’ve seen the data. I’ve spoken to the lead researcher. I didn’t come back with a fairy tale. I came back with science.”
She didn’t budge.
“I did it for you,” I added quietly.
Her face softened for half a second before it hardened again.
“I don’t want it,” she said.
“What?”
“I don’t want your help. Or this so-called miracle. I don’t want to be anyone’s project, David.”
I was floored.
“I’m trying to give you a chance to live,” I said slowly, like I couldn’t believe I had to explain this.
“And I’m trying to live what life I have left with dignity!” she shouted.
People walking past slowed down, glanced at us. I didn’t care.
I stepped closer again, lowering my voice. “Your dad deserves to have hope.”
“My dad deserves peace,” she hissed. “Not false expectations and empty promises.”
“It’s not empty!”
“You think I haven’t looked for every damn solution out there?” she snapped. “You think I don’t know what’s at stake?”
“I think you’re scared.”
“I’m terrified!” she admitted, her voice cracking.
That silenced both of us.
She turned her face away and blinked rapidly. “You don’t get it, David. You’ve never been on this side. The side where your own body betrays you. Where you look in the mirror and wonder how long you’ll still see your reflection.”
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.
She sighed. “You’re a doctor. But you’re not my doctor. You had no right to interfere in my discussion with Dr. Bennet. You crossed a line.”
“I crossed it because I care.”
“That’s not an excuse,” she said coldly.
“I’m not trying to be your physician, Kate. I’m trying to be a damn human being.”
She turned to face me again. “Then act like one. Respect my choices. Stop this crusade.”
I stared at her, jaw clenched. “So that’s it? You’d rather sit back and die?”
“You think I haven’t thought about it?” Her voice shook. “Every night I wonder if tomorrow is my last. I wonder if I’ll wake up, if I’ll collapse in a hallway, if people will pity me or worse—celebrate my disappearance so they can get a promotion.”
My throat tightened.
“I’m tired, David. I don’t want to be someone’s experiment.”
“It’s a 50/50 chance,” I said softly.
She laughed, bitter and hollow. “So you want me to be a lab rat. A gamble. A footnote in some future publication.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I want you to fight. I want you to live.”
“And if I die anyway?”
My voice lowered. “Then at least you’ll know you tried.”
She turned, preparing to walk away.
I moved in front of her. “Don’t go.”
Her arms dropped to her sides. “Let me pass.”
“No.”
“David, move.”
“Not until you listen.”
“Why are you doing this? Why do you care so much?”
I looked at her. Really looked.
Her eyes were red, brimming with exhaustion, with pain, with a strength most people never had to summon. And despite the fire in her voice, I could see that she was scared, and tired of being scared.
I took a breath. “Because I like you.”
She froze. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
I stepped forward.
“Actually,” I corrected myself, “it’s more than that.”
I stood directly in front of her now, just inches away.
“I love you, Kate Stanley.”
She blinked like she hadn’t heard me right.