A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope was out of options. If there were any, she sure as hell wouldn't be standing there in silence.

Lance knew her if she had a plan, she'd be the first to tell him. She was the Miracle Doctor, after all. She'd fixed things before that no one else could.

If she was quiet now, it only meant one thing-she truly had no idea what to do.

"I'm sorry. I'm doing everything I can to figure something out. But... I think Hudson already told you. His situation is really complicated. It's moving so fast. I've never seen anything like it. The tumors are everywhere. It's... it's bad. Some of them are in places you just can't touch. If they were in better spots, maybe surgery would be an option. But where they are now, trying to operate could just make things worse."

Guilt flickered across her face. Calliope wished she were better-wished she could just snap her fingers and fix it. But she couldn't.

"There's nothing else you can do?" Lance's voice trembled as he stared at her, desperate. "You're the Miracle Doctor, right? Aren't you supposed to have those... those insane treatments? Like, you brought people back from the brink before! Hudson's still here, he looks fine, doesn't he? You have a way, right? Callie, tell me you have a way-please, you have to!"

He grabbed her arms, holding on so tight it hurt.

She just met Lance's eyes,

now... I've got nothing. But I'll keep trying, I promise. Still... you need to brace yourself for

okay? If if there really isn't any hope, then these are your last days together.

and you need him. If there's no miracle, you have to ask yourself how you'll live with no regrets. Hudson's doing what he can in his own way. It's harsh,

was really leaving, then Lance needed to be

Lance on the shoulder, giving him a crooked smile.

laugh. "Think of it as me going ahead to scout the

he didn't. But he tried to keep

said quietly.

tonight to

Lance shook his head, wild-eyed. He turned back to Hudson, shaking

die, I'm going