Lily’s POV

I smiled at her.

It wasn’t the soft, careful smile I had worn for years whenever I needed to keep the peace. This one felt different on my face sharper around the edges, almost unfamiliar. For once I didn’t try to hide it. I let it settle there while I looked straight at my sister.

Then I laughed.

The sound burst out of me louder than I expected, echoing off the hard hospital walls and the pale curtains. It kept coming until my shoulders shook with it. Mia’s expression tightened into something cold and serious, her eyes narrowing like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You really...