A few days later, the morning sun rose pale and cold over the city. Today was the day of Hazel’s surgery.

The hospital was one of the most prestigious in the country. Nurses moved through the halls in soft shoes, doctors consulted in hushed voices, and the air smelled of antiseptic and something floral, probably from the large arrangement of white lilies in the lobby.

Hazel’s parents arrived first. Jenna’s face was pale, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Kevin stood beside her, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning the waiting room like he was looking for something to fight. They had been waiting for this day for years—hoping, praying, preparing. Now that it was here, they didn’t know what to do with themselves.

Leo and Bella arrived next. Leo’s hand was on Bella’s lower back, guiding her through the doors. His gray eyes were sharp, assessing the room, the exits, the people. Old habits. Bella carried a small bag with a book, a water bottle, and a charger for her phone. She had no idea how long the surgery would take, but she wanted to be prepared.

Jay and Jace followed shortly after, Jay carrying a box of pastries that no one felt like eating. "Thought we might need these," he said, setting the box on the table. "Stress eating is a thing."

Jace nodded. "A valid thing."

They settled into the waiting room chairs—uncomfortable, plastic, designed to discourage loitering. No one sat in the chairs. Everyone paced.

Hazel was already in pre-op. She had been admitted early that morning, her hair tucked into a surgical cap, her body draped in a hospital gown. She had looked calm when they wheeled her in, but Bella had seen the tightness around her eyes. The fear.

Now they waited.

Dominique was in a small consultation room with his mother, Kaelani. The door was closed, but through the glass window, they could see them talking. Kaelani was dressed in surgical scrubs, her dark hair pulled back, her face serious. She was reviewing a tablet, scrolling through images, nodding at something Dominique said.

Dominique stood beside her, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Bella watched him through the glass. "He’s nervous," she said.

Leo followed her gaze. "He’s hiding it well."

"He always hides it well."

The consultation room door opened. Dominique stepped out, his face calm. Kaelani followed, placing a hand on his shoulder before walking toward the operating room.

Dominique walked over to the waiting area. His eyes found Hazel’s parents first.

"She’s going to be fine," he said. His voice was calm. "My mother has done this type of surgery hundreds of times. She knows what she’s doing."

Jenna nodded, her eyes wet. "Thank you. For everything."

Dominique inclined his head.

The waiting began.

Minutes turned into hours. The pastries remained uneaten. Coffee cups were emptied and refilled. Phones were checked and put away. Conversations started and fizzled out.

Bella sat beside Leo, her hand in his. She watched the door to the operating room, willing it to open, willing someone to come out and tell them everything was okay.

Jay paced. Jace watched him pace. Jenna stared at the wall. Kevin stared at the floor.

Dominique sat in the corner, his elbows on his knees, his head bowed.

A nurse came out once, her face neutral. "The surgery is going well," she said. "Dr. Kaelani is still working."

Then she disappeared back through the doors.

More hours passed.

Bella’s phone died. She didn’t bother charging it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the operating room doors swung open.

Kaelani stepped out, still in her scrubs, her surgical mask pulled down around her neck. Her face was tired but calm.

The waiting room went still.

Jenna stood up. Kevin stood beside her. Leo’s hand tightened on Bella’s.

Dominique rose from his chair, his eyes fixed on his mother.

Kaelani looked at them, then at Dominique. A small smile crossed her face.

"The surgery was a success," she said.

Jenna let out a sob. Kevin put his arm around her.

"She’s in recovery now," Kaelani continued. "The scar tissue has been removed. The skin has been grafted. It will take time to heal—months, maybe longer. But the worst is over."

Dominique exhaled in relief.

Kaelani walked over to him and placed a hand on his cheek. "She’s strong," she said quietly. "She’ll recover."

Dominique nodded, his throat tight.

"When can we see her?" Jenna asked.

"Visiting hours start in three hours," Kaelani said. "She’ll be groggy. She’ll be in pain. But she’ll be awake."

Jenna nodded, wiping her eyes.

Kaelani turned to leave, then paused. She looked at Dominique. "Stay," she said. "She’ll want to see you when she wakes up."

Dominique nodded.

Kaelani disappeared down the hallway.

The waiting room exhaled.

Jay finally opened the box of pastries. "Anyone want one now?"

Jace took one. Then another.

Meanwhile, in the recovery room, Hazel drifted in and out of consciousness. The fluorescent lights above her were too bright. The sheets beneath her were too rough. Her face throbbed with a deep heavy ache that pulsed with every heartbeat.

She tried to lift her hand to touch her cheek, but her arm was too heavy.

"She’s waking up." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

A nurse appeared beside her, young and kind, with soft brown eyes and a gentle smile. She adjusted the IV drip, checked the monitors, and smoothed the blanket over Hazel’s shoulders.

"Your surgery was successful," the nurse said. "Dr. Kaelani removed the scar tissue. You may need one or two more surgeries, depending on how you heal, but your condition is going to be much better than before."

Hazel’s eyes lit up. Even through the fog of anesthesia, even through the pain, she felt something she hadn’t felt in years.

Hope.

Her face was wrapped in thick white layered bandages that covered her cheek, her jaw, the side of her neck. Only her eyes and her lips were visible. She looked like a soldier returned from battle, swathed in gauze and healing.

Seeing her happiness, the nurse continued, her voice warm and encouraging.

"If everything goes well over the next few months, and if your recovery progresses as expected, and if your body heals the way we hope it will, you might not even need those additional surgeries."

Hazel’s eyes widened.

"After you recover," the nurse said, "your skin will become much smoother. The graft will settle. The redness will fade. In time, the scar will be barely noticeable."

Tears slipped from Hazel’s eyes, trailing down her cheeks and soaking into the bandages.

The nurse patted her hand. "You’ve been very brave, dear. Now rest. Let your body do its work."

Hazel closed her eyes, exhausted but hopeful.