Allison's POV
By ten o'clock, Lily had thrown up everything she possibly could. She could barely keep down a few sips of water, and now there was nothing left—only bitter yellow bile that tore at her throat.
My sweet girl rarely cried in the hospital. She always tried to be brave for me. But this time the pain was too much for her tiny body to endure.
I held her against my chest, each trembling whimper cracking something inside me.
Not long after, Dr. Swift arrived with two other physicians for a joint consultation. Once Lily's condition stabilized—just enough—they asked to speak with me privately in Dr. Swift's office.
Grief had numbed me so thoroughly that my legs nearly gave out at the door. Dr. Swift steadied me with a gentle hand on my elbow.
"Easy, Allison," he said quietly. "T
