And everyone did, until they reached Lily’s room. The moment he saw her, Milo froze in the doorway. His tail dropped, ears forward. He whimpered once, then stepped back as if unsure. Staff laughed softly, saying he was nervous. But Maya thought she saw something else flicker behind those eyes—recognition?
Lily was ten. The doctors said her recovery after a heart transplant was going well, but emotionally, she’d shut down. She hardly spoke, kept her hands curled to her chest, and woke crying most nights. Her parents tried stories, music, and prayer, but nothing reached her.