Carlos stood rigid, peering through the hospital window at his grandmother, a frail figure surrounded by medical machines. Behind him, the doctor delivered the devastating news.
"So, you’re saying, one by one, her organs are getting damaged," Carlos choked out, turning back to the doctor, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Yes," the doctor confirmed, his expression grave. "She won’t survive, Mr. Carlos. So, brace yourself." The doctor patted Carlos gently on the shoulder before quietly taking his leave.
Carlos brought his hands up to rub desperately at his eyes, fighting a losing battle to maintain control. Suddenly, a familiar warmth and energy settled atop his shoulder. He spun his head around, genuinely shocked to see Gabriel standing there.
"Wh—what are you doing here?" Carlos exclaimed, his eyes darting behind Gabriel, half-expecting to see Amelie as well.
"Only I could come," Gabriel replied softly. "Noah was born not long ago, so Amelie couldn’t accompany me." He noticed the dampness beneath Carlos’s eyes.
"It’s good she didn’t come," Carlos whispered. He lunged forward, hugging Gabriel tightly. "Thank you for coming," he muttered into his friend’s shoulder. Gabriel simply patted his back, offering whatever silent comfort he could. His eyes fell upon the old lady lying on the bed, tethered to medical devices, and he understood the depth of Carlos’s anguish.
After a long moment, Carlos pulled away, wiping his cheeks. He gestured for Gabriel to sit.
"You first," Gabriel offered, giving him precedence. Carlos lowered himself onto the chair, and Gabriel took the one beside him.
"You shouldn’t have come here," Carlos insisted, clasping his hands together tightly. "Amelie and Noah need you."
"Amelie has people around her," Gabriel replied calmly. "And we were worried for you, especially Amelie."
Carlos managed a fleeting smile. "She’s always been like that. Caring for others. The kindness she shows is truly unique to her." He began to fidget with his fingers, and a fresh streak of tears broke over his cheeks.
"Grandma won’t survive long," Carlos whispered, his voice cracking. "Her organs are failing one by one." Gabriel tilted his head, watching his friend weep openly. "I hoped she would live at least for a year or two. She’s the only person I have left in this world. And if she’s gone, nothing will carry any value for me."
Gabriel listened silently. He realized he had never known this kind of devastating fear of loss, not beyond the threat to Amelie or Noah. Yet, seeing Carlos’s pain, the fear of losing a parent or grandparent, he understood it was worse than anything he could imagine.
"I know she’s in pain, but I just don’t want her to leave," Carlos said, taking a deep, ragged breath full of ache.



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