A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope was out of options. If there were any, she sure as hell wouldn't be standing there in silence.

Lance knew her if she had a plan, she'd be the first to tell him. She was the Miracle Doctor, after all. She'd fixed things before that no one else could.

If she was quiet now, it only meant one thing-she truly had no idea what to do.

"I'm sorry. I'm doing everything I can to figure something out. But... I think Hudson already told you. His situation is really complicated. It's moving so fast. I've never seen anything like it. The tumors are everywhere. It's... it's bad. Some of them are in places you just can't touch. If they were in better spots, maybe surgery would be an option. But where they are now, trying to operate could just make things worse."

Guilt flickered across her face. Calliope wished she were better-wished she could just snap her fingers and fix it. But she couldn't.

"There's nothing else you can do?" Lance's voice trembled as he stared at her, desperate. "You're the Miracle Doctor, right? Aren't you supposed to have those... those insane treatments? Like, you brought people back from the brink before! Hudson's still here, he looks fine, doesn't he? You have a way, right? Callie, tell me you have a way-please, you have to!"

He grabbed her arms, holding on so tight it hurt.

Calliope winced, but didn't pull away. She just met Lance's eyes, quiet and steady.

She shook her head. "Right now... I've got nothing. But I'll keep trying, I promise. Still... you need to brace yourself for the worst."

"Lance, Hudson needs you. You have to be strong for him, okay? If if there really isn't any hope, then these are your last days together. You need to think about how you want to spend them."

"He needs you, and you need him. If there's no miracle, you have to ask yourself how you'll live with no regrets. Hudson's doing what he can in his own way. It's harsh, I know, but try not to let fear steal what time you've got left."

Calliope's voice was gentle, but firm. She understood how much this hurt. But if Hudson was really leaving, then Lance needed to be ready. He had to make the most of the days they had left, or he'd never forgive himself.

"Callie's right, Lance. Please, stop crying, okay?" Hudson, for his part, was calm. He patted Lance on the shoulder, giving him a crooked smile. "I've already made my peace with this. I hope you can, too."

He tried to lighten the mood, forcing a little laugh. "Think of it as me going ahead to scout the trail. Everybody dies someday. I'm just getting a head start. I'll be waiting for you somewhere down the road."

He didn't want to go-God, he didn't. But he tried to keep things light.

"I'll keep trying, I swear," Calliope said quietly. "But I can't promise anything.

Lance, just take tonight to rest. Really think about it."

"No!" Lance shook his head, wild-eyed. He turned back to Hudson, shaking his head even harder. "You can't die. You're not allowed!"

"Hudson, if you die, I'm going with you!"

"If you're so set on this, just kill me now!"

"I don't care about regrets, or last moments, or any of that crap. I don't care! I won't let you die!"

"You look fine right now-how can you die?"

"You guys must be in on this together! You're lying to me!"

He was practically screaming, all but falling apart.noveldrama