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.

winced, but didn't pull away. She just met Lance's

her head. "Right now... I've got nothing. But I'll keep trying, I promise. Still... you need to brace

needs you. You have to be strong for him, okay? If if there really isn't any hope, then these are

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,

but firm. She understood how much this hurt. But if Hudson was really leaving, then Lance needed to be ready. He had to make the most

the shoulder, giving him a crooked

it as me going ahead to scout the trail. Everybody dies someday. I'm just getting a head start. I'll

he didn't. But he

I swear," Calliope said quietly.

to rest. Really

wild-eyed. He turned back to Hudson,

die, I'm going