"I really don''t know what else we can do for Mr. Howell," The doctor admitted, casting a hopeful nce at Calliope. "You''re the Miracle Doctor, after all. I''ve heard you''ve treated all sorts of rare conditions, even the really tough cases. Do you have any ideas, or suggestions for us?"


    Calliope poured over the test results, flipping through the pages and scrolling through digital scans, her mind racing. One idea after another was dismissed as unworkable.


    After a long, tense silence, she shook her head at the doctor. "Honestly, I haven''t thought of anything that could work-at least, not yet."


    "If we try herbal therapy, I''m worried it won''t act quickly enough. The disease is progressing too fast, and natural remedies usually take time to kick in."


    "And as for acupuncture, well, maybe it could help a little, but it''s not going to be a game changer."


    The more she tried to brainstorm, the heavier her expression grew. She was stuck.


    Almost unconsciously, she nced over at Hudson.


    But Hudson, for his part, seemed surprisingly calm. He''d alreadye to terms with the situation, at least on the surface.


    "It''s okay," he told Calliope with a gentle shrug. "Even if you can''t fix me, I''m not upset. Honestly, I''m just grateful I''ve made it this far. If it weren''t for my godfather and everyone else looking out for me, I probably would''ve starved as a kid."


    "Callie, this isn''t your fault. Don''t beat yourself up just because you can''t pull off a miracle for me. I''m not scared of what happens-I just feel... a little regret, I guess."


    He paused, eyes growing distant. "I always hoped I''d be the one to take care of Lance for the rest of my life. I promised him I would, but now I might have to break that promise."


    He''d liked Lance since they were both kids, but he''d kept his feelings hidden all those years. When Lance finally told him he felt the same, Hudson had been floored-happier than he''d ever been. Their story could have had such a different ending.


    But then the diagnosis came, and everything changed. After that, Hudson tried to


    push Lance away, thinking maybe Lance would find someone else. But Lance


    was stubborn and wouldn''t let go so easily.


    He turned back to Calliope. "Look,


    Callie, none of the rest matters. I just need you to keep an eye on Lance when I''m gone. Try to make sure he doesn''t get too hung up on me alright? Maybe our story just wasn''t meant to go on forever, you know?"


    "You can save the goodbyes forter!" Calliope snapped, jaw clenched. "I''m not giving up on you, Hudson. I don''t care how hard this is—there''s got to be a way to buy you more time."


    She had thought this trip would be simple, just a quick favor for a friend. She never imagined Hudson''s case would be thisplicated.


    But as his friend, there was no way she could walk away. She had to help him, even if it meant just a little more time.


    "If the Miracle Doctor cane up


    with something, that would be


    amazing, the doctor said, with a hopeful smile. “I''ve always heard you alternative medicine folks are both talented and mysterious. If you do think of anything, could we talk it over? I''ve been researching simr cases myself, reaching out to colleagues for help."


    "Of course," Calliope replied, forcing a small smile. "And if youe across anything promising, please let me know too."


    They exchanged contact info, and the doctor promised to send her all the test results and details.


    With that squared away, Calliope took Hudson''s arm, and together they headed for the door.