Chapter 2-The collapse

The morning sun filtered weakly through the tall buildings of Lyria City. Elise Rowan’s alarm had gone off at 6:00 a.m., as it did every day, but her body felt heavier than usual. She dragged herself out of bed, slipping into the same worn sneakers she had been running in for months. The scent of coffee and toast lingered faintly in the small kitchen.

Mom: “Hurry up, Elise. I’m late for work.”

Elise: “Yes, Mom.” She moved quickly, silently, knowing any complaint would only waste time.

Her father was already at the door, briefcase in hand.

Dad: “Don’t forget to pay the bills.”

Elise: “I will.” She nodded, hiding the ache in her chest.

Leo: “You never play with me.” The small boy’s frown tugged at her heart.

Elise: “I’ll try next time. I promise.”

She knew she couldn’t.

By 8:30 a.m., Elise was on the subway, clutching the handrail as the train rattled along the tracks. Her vision swirled. The morning crowd pressed against her from all sides, yet no one noticed the pallor of her skin or the tremor of her hands.

Elise (thinking): Just a few more stops. I can make it.

Then the world tilted. Her knees gave way. She stumbled, then collapsed onto the platform. A wave of panic surged through the people around her. Someone caught her shoulder. A stranger’s voice called out.

Stranger: “She’s fainted! Someone call an ambulance!”

Elise (thinking, barely conscious): I can’t… not now… there’s too much to do…

At the hospital, sterile lights and the hum of machines enveloped her. Nurses moved with quiet efficiency.

Doctor Morales: “Elise Rowan? We need to run some tests immediately.”

Elise tried to sit up.

Elise: “I’m fine… really.”

The doctor frowned.

Doctor Morales: “Elise… I’m afraid it’s serious. You have a cardiac tumor. It’s advanced.”

The words fell like stones in her chest.

Elise: “How long…?” Her voice trembled.

Doctor Morales: “Months, maybe less. We need to start treatment immediately.”

Her mind spun. All the running, all the sacrifices, all the unnoticed effort—it all seemed so fragile now.

Elise (thinking): I can’t stop. I won’t. They depend on me. I don’t have time for myself.

Her phone vibrated. It was Adrian.

Adrian (text): Where are you? You missed our lunch. I waited.

Her chest tightened further. She knew she couldn’t tell him the truth—not yet.

Elise (thinking): If I tell him, he’ll stop me. He’ll plead. I… I can’t let him see me broken.

She typed a short reply:

Elise (text): Sorry… headache. I’m okay.

At home, Leo sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the clock.

Leo (thinking): She’s not home yet… again. Why is she always running?

His mother passed by, tense and distracted.

Mom: “Leo, stop worrying. Elise knows what she’s doing. Don’t bother her.”

Leo frowned. A hollow ache twisted in his chest.

Leo (thinking): She’s never around for me. She’s always running.

Back at the hospital, Elise rested on the crisp white bed sheets, her hands gripping the edge as she tried to steady her breathing. The monitor beside her beeped steadily, a cruel reminder of her fragility.

Elise (thinking): I have to keep moving. There’s too much to do. They’ll collapse without me…

The nurse checked her IV line, giving her a sympathetic glance.

Nurse: “You need to rest, Elise. You’re not invincible.”

Elise forced a weak smile.

Elise: “I don’t have time to be weak.”

Deep down, she knew the truth: she had been running all her life—running for her family, running for Adrian, running for everyone but herself. And now, the ground beneath her was giving way.

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