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.

There was still no news from the bone marrow registry. Two days ago, Dr. Cedric Clarke had said that if a donor couldn't be found soon, Briony might not make it through the winter...

over, and Stella turned away quickly, wiping her face

entertain guests for long, so after a short visit, they took the children home, leaving the

only Stewart and

but now, with the house empty, she returned to her bedroom and

quietly, carrying her medication the bedside lamp cast a soft amber glow over the room. Briony was slumped against the headboard, sleeping so

at the woman who had fought so hard, for so long. His chest ached with helpless sorrow. He knew how brave she'd been, holding on for the sake of

refusing to give in,

two days ago, the doctors had gathered again for a consultation. The prognosis was grim. No one told

he slipped into the bathroom and brought back a bottle

felt something cool brushing gently over her face. Her eyes

meeting her gaze. "Let me help you clean your face. Once you've had

tired, her mind clouded and sluggish. She managed a faint

her face, his throat tightening at the sight of her so lifeless and

her to drink her medicine. She managed only a

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