But I noticed.
She pulled them back quickly, curling them into fists like she could hide it.
Didn’t work.
I crouched beside her. “Hey.”
“I’m fine.”
Too fast.
Too automatic.
“I didn’t ask.”
Her eyes lifted to mine.
Tired.
Guarded.
“Then stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m falling apart.”
I held her gaze.
“You almost did.”
That hit.
I saw it land.
Her throat worked once, but no words came out.
“Two minutes!” Lucas called from the doorway.
Reality crashed back in hard.
I stood first and offered her my hand.
“Doctor.”
She stared at it for half a second before taking it.
Her fingers were ice cold.
“Time to move.”
For a moment, I thought she’d argue again.
Instead, she pulled herself upright and immediately turned back toward the children.
Still working.
Still holding everyone together.
