The moment Lunessa entered the ward room, Laura spread her arms for a hug.
Laura's face looked pale, her body thinner than Lunessa remembered, but despite that, she still managed a smile, small and careful one, like she didn't want to worry her.
Lunessa crossed the room quickly and bent down, wrapping her arms around her sister.
"How are you today, baby?" she asked softly, brushing Laura's hair back.
Laura nodded faintly. "I think I'm okay." She paused, then looked up at her with concern. "How about you? Have you eaten?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, fragile from holding back the pain that came with her sickness.
Lunessa smiled at once, the kind she had practiced until it felt natural.
"Of course," she said, not lying this time, and the thought made her chest tighten with guilt. She had eaten well these past five days. "Would you like to eat something? I'm… a bit loaded today. I can buy your favorite dish."
Her hand tightened gently around Laura's, warmth passing between them.
For once, the words didn't come from desperation.
"Really?" Laura's eyes brightened, genuine happiness lighting up her pale face. "Did you find a job here?" She smiled with her eyes. "Then you should spend more on yourself…"
"Hmm, kind of…" Lunessa said softly, smiling forcefully. "And really, I have enough to buy your favorite food." She tilted her head slightly, trying to sound casual. "Tell me… spicy grilled chicken with Mediterranean rice? Or would you like sushi?"
Laura's lips parted in surprise.
"Sushi?" she repeated, almost disbelieving.
Lunessa smiled.
That was Laura, always remembering her favorite foods, even though she had only tasted them once in her eighteen years of life. And that single time had been three years ago, when their aunt from their father's side visited and brought them something special.
Back when special was still allowed to exist in their lives.
Laura hesitated, then laughed softly. "Then… the chicken," she said. "The sushi feels too fancy."
Lunessa nodded immediately. "Chicken it is—or…" She smiled, pulling out her phone. "I'll just buy both."
Laura's eyes widened. "Both?"
"Mm-hm." Lunessa paused, then glanced toward the door. "Wait. Let me ask the nurse how food delivery works here. I saw someone ordering earlier at the entrance."
She slipped her phone back into her bag and stood up carefully, making sure Laura was comfortable before moving toward the door.
"I'll be right back," she said gently.
As she stepped into the corridor, the ward's quiet closed in around her.
"Excuse me…" Lunessa approached the nurse at the counter. "Could you help me with food delivery here?"
The nurse glanced up briefly from the monitor, a faint frown creasing her brow. "I'm sorry, I'm quite busy at the moment," she said, already turning her attention back to the screen. "You can just download the Wrap app to order food delivery."
"Oh—sorry," Lunessa replied quickly. "Thank you. I'll download the app then."
She stepped away from the counter, retreating to the side of the corridor. Pulling out her phone, she unlocked the screen and searched the app store.
"Wrap…" she murmured under her breath, typing the name carefully.
The loading icon spun.
For a brief second, she stared at the screen. "Food?" she murmured, tapping the app open.
She typed in what she wanted, scrolling through the options as images popped up one after another.
"Oh," she whispered, a little surprised. "This is easy…"
With just a few taps, dishes she'd only seen in pictures appeared within reach—grilled chicken, rice, sauces, even sushi, all neatly displayed with prices she no longer had to calculate down to the last coin.
Her thumb hovered over the screen for a moment.
Then she placed the order.
She hurried back to the room, her steps lighter than before, and smiled brightly. "I've ordered it. I'll go pick it up once the food arrives."
"Thank you, Nessa," Laura said softly, pouting a little. "And… I'm sorry. You've never gotten the best out of life because of me."
Lunessa was at her side in an instant.
"What are you saying?" She pulled Laura into her embrace, holding her carefully. "You're the most beautiful gift God ever sent me." Her voice softened. "I should be the one thanking Dad for bringing you into this world… so I wouldn't be alone."
Laura's shoulders trembled faintly.
Lunessa pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, her hands still warm around hers.
"So," she said gently, forcing a smile, "all you need to do is get better and stay by my side."
She bit her lip, then corrected herself with a small, determined nod.
"Until we're old and gray," she said. "Not until death."
Laura laughed weakly, eyes shining. "Deal," she whispered.
The ward fell quiet again, the machines humming softly in the background.
Then Laura spoke.
"Have you tried calling Mom?"
The question landed gently but it still made Lunessa stiff.
Her smile faltered for just a fraction of a second before she smoothed it out. She reached up and tucked a strand of Laura's hair behind her ear, buying herself time.
"I did," she said at last. "A few times."
Laura watched her closely. Too closely.
"She didn't pick up?" Laura asked, already knowing the answer.
Lunessa shook her head. "No."
The word felt heavier than it should have.
"She's probably busy," Laura murmured, trying to sound understanding. "Or maybe her phone—"
"It's okay," Lunessa cut in gently. "You don't need to worry about that right now."
Laura went quiet. Her fingers tightened slightly around the blanket. "She said she'd come see me," she whispered. "After the diagnosis."
Lunessa's hand stilled.
"Baby…" she said softly. When she spoke again, her voice was strained, carefully measured, like she was holding something back. "There are some things you need to learn after everything we've been through."
She brushed her thumb lightly over Laura's knuckles.
"Sometimes," Lunessa continued, choosing each word, "people say things because it's easier than actually doing them."
Laura didn't look up.
Lunessa inhaled slowly.
"I hate to say this," she said quietly, her voice low and steady, "but after she left us, so soon after Dad died… I decided something for myself."
Her fingers tightened gently around Laura's hand.
"To me," Lunessa continued, eyes fixed ahead, "she was already dead."