The hospital hallway was silent that early morning, as if the world had lowered its volume out of respect for the pain of those passing through. I walked with measured steps beside Isabella, while my in-laws came a little behind. No one had said anything since we entered. The mood was tense, dense, as if we were all avoiding breathing too deeply. And I knew why. Today would be the compatibility test. The day when, perhaps, we would discover hope. Or… the lack of it.
Giulia was in the room with one of the nurses whose name she had already learned to say. Before we left, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and asked me to bring back an apple juice.
"Promise you'll come back quickly, Daddy?"
"I promise, my princess." I kissed her forehead firmly. "And I'll bring the juice and good news."
She
