The airport buzzed with movement—rolling suitcases rattling over polished floors, voices overlapping in accents from every corner of the world, flight announcements echoing through the vast terminal.
Melissa barely noticed any of it.
Her attention was fixed entirely on the stubborn suitcase dragging behind her.
The wheels refused to cooperate, wobbling awkwardly as exhaustion settled into every muscle of her body.
More than fifteen hours in the air had left her drained, her shoulders stiff, and her patience hanging by a thread.
She stopped near a pillar and yanked the suitcase harder.
"Seriously?" she muttered under her breath.
As if sensing the perfect moment to annoy her further, her phone rang.
Melissa sighed heavily before digging through her handbag.
After a few seconds of fumbling, she pulled out the phone and answered.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice greeted her instantly.
"Welcome to Australia."
Melissa rolled her eyes.
"Audrey," she said flatly.
She could practically hear the amusement in Audrey's voice.
"So? How was the flight?"
"Horrible," Melissa groaned, shifting the weight of her bag higher on her shoulder.
"The flight was more than fifteen hours."
"Good. That means the hard part is over."
Melissa narrowed her eyes immediately.
Something about Audrey's tone sounded suspiciously businesslike.
"And now," Audrey continued briskly, "that that's out of the way, let's get down to business."
Melissa groaned louder. "There it is."
"I've already made reservations for you in a decent hotel," Audrey said.
"You'll drop your bags, freshen up, and head straight to the hospital."
Melissa blinked. "The hospital?"
"Yes."
"Audrey," Melissa said slowly, sounding genuinely offended, "won't you let me get some rest for awhile?"
"Nope." The answer came far too quickly.
"You need to be there before the surgery."
Melissa stopped walking completely.
"What surgery? You never told me there'd be surgery today."
"I assumed mentioning this days ago," Audrey replied casually.
Melissa pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just landed."
"And Nancy is going into surgery soon," Audrey countered.
"Which means if you want to see her beforehand, move."
Melissa exhaled sharply. "You are incredibly bossy."
"I prefer efficient."
Melissa muttered something unintelligible under her breath.
"Fine."
"Good. Text me when you get there."
The line disconnected. Melissa stared at the screen for a moment.
Then she shoved the phone back into her bag with far more force than necessary.
"Bossy lady," she grumbled.
The cab ride to the hotel felt like a blur.
Outside the window, Australia unfolded before her in unfamiliar streets, modern buildings, and sunlight that somehow looked sharper than home.
Normally, she would have appreciated it.
Today? She was too exhausted to care.
By the time she checked into the hotel, her body felt heavy enough to collapse on the bed and sleep for a century.
The temptation nearly won.
Nearly.
Instead, she dragged herself into the bathroom. A hot shower helped a little.
Steam melted away some of the stiffness in her muscles, though not enough to erase the exhaustion beneath her skin.
She changed into clean clothes, tied back her hair, grabbed her bag, and forced herself back outside.
Soon, she stood before the hospital.
Large glass doors reflected her uncertain expression.
For a long moment, Melissa simply stared. This was it.
She didn't even fully know what she expected.
A reunion? A stranger? A disaster? Her stomach tightened.
"Here goes nothing," she murmured.
Taking a steadying breath, she walked inside.
The reception area smelled sharply of antiseptic and polished floors.
Nurses moved quickly between desks while visitors sat quietly in rows of chairs.
Melissa approached the front desk.
A blonde nurse looked up with a warm smile.
"Good morning," the woman said in a noticeable Australian accent.
Melissa offered a tired smile in return.
"Hey, I'm looking for Nancy."
The nurse turned toward her computer immediately.
"What's the last name?"
"Dermott."
Fingers clicked rapidly against the keyboard.
A moment later, the nurse nodded.
"Ah-ha. Nancy Dermott." She glanced back up. "She'll be having surgery today. Room 045."
Melissa's chest tightened unexpectedly.
Surgery. Hearing it aloud suddenly made everything feel real.
"Thanks," she said quietly.
The nurse smiled politely. "You're welcome."
Melissa turned and followed the hallway signs.
Her footsteps echoed softly as she moved through long white corridors.
Room numbers passed one after another.
Finally— She slowed.
The door stood slightly open. Melissa hesitated.
Then, cautiously, she looked inside.
A pale girl sat on the hospital bed. Too pale. Fragile-looking. Thin.
There was something heartbreakingly exhausted about her, as though life itself had worn her down.
Melissa felt her chest tighten again. This was Nancy?
Carefully, she knocked against the door.
The soft sound made the girl turn her head slowly.
Nancy's movements were sluggish, tired. Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.
Melissa paused at the doorway.
The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and something heavier—fear disguised beneath sterilized air.
Machines hummed softly in the background, their rhythmic beeping the only sound besides the distant chatter filtering in from the hallway.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
Her voice came out rough and hoarse, strained like she had spent hours crying or screaming into silence.
Melissa stiffened. For once, words failed her.
"Um…" Awkwardness clung to her like a second skin.
Nancy frowned slightly.
"I think you're in the wrong room."
Melissa swallowed hard, then straightened her posture.
"I doubt that," she said carefully. "I'm exactly where I'm meant to be."
Suspicion flickered instantly across Nancy's face.
"Who are you?"
Melissa hesitated. The lie sat bitterly on her tongue.
"Hi, I'm Melissa…" she began quietly. "A friend of Lena."
Nancy stared at her. Long enough to make Melissa uncomfortable.
Then she gave a dry, humorless scoff.
"Lena doesn't have friends."
Melissa almost smiled. That sounded painfully accurate. She stepped closer to the bed anyway.
"Well," she said, dragging a chair toward herself, "I'm her not-so-secret friend."
The chair scraped lightly against the tiled floor before Melissa sat down beside her.
Nancy watched her like a suspicious cat, guarded and exhausted.
Silence settled between them. Finally, Melissa folded her hands together.
"Heard you're having surgery."
Nancy gave her a flat look. "Yeah, genius."
The sarcasm landed without effort.
Melissa exhaled quietly. "What's it for?"
Nancy answered so casually it felt wrong.
"Lung cancer."
The words struck harder than Melissa expected.
"Oh…"
For the first time since entering the room, Melissa looked uncertain.
"I'm sorry."
Nancy shrugged weakly against the pillow.
"Don't be."
Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling.
"I'm happy Lena was able to afford the surgery." She paused.
A troubled expression crossed her face.
"I wonder how she managed to pay for it."
Melissa leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.
"You don't need to worry your little head about that," she said gently.
"The important thing is that you're getting treatment."
Nancy narrowed her eyes. Something about Melissa unsettled her.
Maybe it was how calm she seemed. Or maybe it was the strange confidence in her voice.
"Where's Lena anyway?"
Melissa's heartbeat stumbled. There it was. The question she had been dreading.
"Yeah… about that…"
She glanced briefly at the floor before forcing herself to continue.
"She couldn't make it."
Nancy's expression changed instantly. Confusion.
Then disbelief.
"What do you mean she couldn't make it?"
Melissa inhaled slowly. "She got a job."
The words felt rehearsed.
"A decent one."
Nancy blinked. "Then why isn't she here?"
"It's remote," Melissa answered quickly. "The pay's really good."
Nancy stared harder. Too hard. She wasn't buying it.
"Lena would never take a job in another country without telling me," she said quietly.
Her voice trembled now.
"And definitely not the morning of my surgery."
Melissa held her gaze.
"How do you think she was able to afford the surgery?"
The room went silent. Nancy's breathing became uneven.
Slowly, realization twisted into panic.
"Where's my phone?"
She suddenly shifted against the bed, eyes darting frantically around the room.
"I need to call her."
Melissa leaned forward.
"What part of remote job don't you understand?" she said softly.
"She's working on a private island in the States. No reception. Nothing."
The lie came easier this time. Too easy. Nancy froze.
Then her lip trembled. She bit down so hard Melissa saw blood bead at the corner of her mouth.
"No…" Her voice cracked.
"No, no…" Tears spilled freely now.
"I don't want to be far away from her."
Her breathing became shaky, desperate.
"She's the only family I've got."
Her shoulders trembled violently.
"Call her," she pleaded. "Tell her we can refund the money."
A sob escaped her throat.
"Tell her she promised never to leave me."
Something sharp twisted painfully inside Melissa's chest.
Before she could think better of it, she stood.
Then slowly, carefully, wrapped her arms around Nancy.
Nancy collapsed against her immediately. Fragile. Terrified.
Melissa gently stroked the back of her head.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," she whispered softly.
"Her plane left yesterday." The words tasted cruel. "She's probably already there."
Nancy cried harder. Melissa tightened her hold slightly.
"But…" she added, voice quieter now, "I'm always a phone call away."
Nancy sniffled against her shoulder.
"How would I know she's okay?"
Melissa pulled back slightly. Enough to see her face.
"She'll text you," she said. "Send presents on your birthday and holidays."
Her thumb brushed gently beneath Nancy's wet eyes.
"And most importantly…" Her tone softened.
"You'll be taken care of."
Nancy exhaled shakily. Her face crumpled again.
"I'm scared."
Melissa's chest tightened.
"I fear my chances of surviving this are slim."
Something flickered in Melissa's expression. Pain. Fear. Determination.
She carefully tucked loose strands of hair behind Nancy's ear.
"Don't say that." Her voice carried unexpected firmness.
"I'll be here."
Nancy looked at her uncertainly. Melissa offered a small smile.
"I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."
She squeezed Nancy's hand.
"And when you wake up…" Her voice softened.
"I'll be the first person you see."
Nancy's watery eyes searched hers.
"Promise?"
Melissa didn't hesitate.
"I promise."