Lena sat frozen in her seat as the doctor’s words crushed down on her chest. “How soon?” she asked, her voice barely there.

“The next forty-eight hours,” the doctor answered. “Maybe less.”

The room suddenly felt unstable. Lena gripped the arms of the chair tightly, afraid she might collapse if she let go. “Doctor… isn’t there another way?” The doctor sighed and removed his glasses. “We’ve been using an artificial support system to stabilize his condition,” he said..“But that was only ever a temporary measure. Without a transplant… his heart will fail again.”

His gaze lowered. “And next time… we might not be able to save him.” Lena’s breathing turned...