n a feverish haze, drifting

oke, Drake was s

ching my forehead with the back of

ceiling, my eyes

s," he told me. "It's damaged your vocal cords. But don

to speak, but only a roug

othed. "I'll take

best surgeon in the city. If he

e together. I took a steroid shot to get through the pe

s wanted to go out for a ce

m, my voice a painful ras

t what about the weddi

said, looking down. "I

im. They fell silent, their face

with a weak smile. "And I'm not giving

, and they hugged m

iting for me. He grabbed my arm.

d," I said as he pull

asked, s

anymore," I repli

"It doesn't matter. Your surgery is scheduled fo

perhaps the head of his department. He was the best, and

e questions. I trust

le, the bright lights blinding me. The anesthetic

rgical team

em was Kal

er, his role clearly

life, my soul. I couldn't let an in

p, to scream, but my body wouldn'

out, my words slurred. "Dra

. "Shhh, Elyse. It's okay. Kalea is at the top of her class. This is

ed, my eyes wi

he last thing I heard as the world faded to b