"Bound by Fate, Held by Love"

Chapter 19: A Ray of Hope

Freen sat quietly in her hospital room, staring at the window. The city skyline stretched far into the horizon, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. But her mind was elsewhere.

Her name had moved higher on the transplant list.

It was news she should be happy about, but all she could feel was the weight of uncertainty.

The door creaked open, and Becky stepped inside, holding a bag of home-cooked food. “I brought your favorite.” Her voice was soft, careful.

Freen turned her head and gave a small smile. “You really don’t have to keep doing this, you know.”

Becky placed the bag on the table and sat beside her. “I do.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke. Becky reached for Freen’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “Bailey called me,” she admitted. “She told me about the update.”

Freen let out a quiet sigh. “Yeah… my name’s moved up.”

Becky squeezed her hand. “That’s good news, Freen.”

“It is,” Freen nodded, but the hesitation in her voice didn’t go unnoticed.

Becky frowned. “Then why do you sound like it isn’t?”

Freen looked away, her grip on Becky’s hand tightening slightly. “Because I don’t want to hope too much.” She took a shaky breath. “What if it doesn’t come in time? What if…”

Becky’s heart clenched. She had never seen Freen so vulnerable. The woman who always joked, always teased, always took care of others—she was scared.

And Becky hated that she couldn’t take that fear away.

“It will come,” Becky whispered, bringing Freen’s hand to her lips. “I know it will.”

Freen chuckled dryly. “How are you so sure?”

Becky met her gaze, her own eyes glistening. “Because I can’t lose you.”

Freen’s breath hitched.

Becky let out a shaky exhale. “I know I don’t always say the right things. I know I’ve been… difficult. But Freen, I—” She paused, voice trembling. “I need you to stay.”

Freen stared at her, feeling an ache in her chest that had nothing to do with her heart condition.

“Becks…”

Before she could say anything else, the door swung open.

Yang and Richie rushed in, nearly tripping over themselves.

“We got the call!” Yang blurted out, eyes wide with shock.

Becky’s head snapped up. “What?”

Richie was panting, as if he had run all the way to the hospital. “The hospital—there’s a match. They found a heart for Freen.”

Silence.

Freen’s world tilted.

A match.

Becky’s grip on her tightened. “Are you serious?”

Yang nodded frantically. “Bailey just called us. They’re prepping everything now.”

Freen felt like she couldn’t breathe. After everything—after the fear, the waiting, the uncertainty—there was finally a chance.

Becky cupped Freen’s face, forcing her to look at her. “You’re going to be okay,” she whispered fiercely. “You hear me, Freen? You’re going to be okay.”

Freen let out a shaky laugh, tears slipping from her eyes. “Yeah,” she breathed. “I think I am.”