“You look nice,” she said, forcing a smile. He smiled back, though his eyes were tired. “I’ll only be gone a few hours. I picked up another client.” “Don’t rush,” she said softly. “I’ll be here.” And she was.
Later that night, when he returned, she was too weak to sit up. He helped her sip water, held the glass steady when her hand trembled. He didn’t complain when she needed him to adjust her pillows again, or when the nurse asked him to step aside for another round of medication. He just looked at her — not pitying, not impatient, just… hollow.