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"What are you doing here?" She sinks back down into her pillows with a soft gasp.

"I came to see you, silly," I say, easing onto the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," comes her strained reply. "So many people and so many places. It's so dizzy. The man here, he told me he's helping Uncle Mario, and they have a kidney for me again. A special one. I was worried about you. After the crash, I was worried you were hurt because you didn't come and see me."

"I'm so sorry, Illyana." Of course Boris and his goons played into the idea that we're all working together. "I was hurt." Unwilling to fully lie to her, I ease down the sleeve of my dress to expose part of the seatbelt bruise. "It took me a little bit to get back on my feet."

"Oh, ouch." Illyana's face crumples slightly. "If you're here… is it true?"

"Is what true?" Suddenly, I'm stuck by the hope that she knows who I am. Those words coming out of her mouth would be incredible, and I wouldn't deny it. Not only would I tell her the truth, but I'd tell her I'm here to help her. Really help her.

"Is there a kidney for me?"

Oh.

I swallow down my selfish disappointment and reach for her hand, clutching it warmly in my own. "Yes. There is."

"Really?"

"Really, really."

"Oh, wow…" Her smile grows even as the corners of her mouth wobble. "That's so cool. I don't want to move again."

"I know, Illyana. I'm sorry about all of that. It must be so confusing for you."

"Not really." She shrugs one shoulder. "I move around all the time. I've been to more countries than there are states in America, at least that's what Uncle Mario says. He doesn't like to travel, but he did it for me."

Tension creeps up my spine. "He did it… for you?"

"Mmhmm." Illyana nods. "But can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course you can."

"Traveling with you was the most fun. I like Valentina. She's like a princess. Is she here too?"

My lips press together and I shake my head. "No, I'm sorry. She's not here right now."

Illyana suddenly dissolves into a heavy coughing fit, sending several of the machines around her beeping wildly. Before I can even think of raising the alarm, several doctors rush into the room to ensure that she's okay. It takes a few minutes for everything to calm down and Illyana is soon back resting against her pillow.

She's weaker than she was before.

Much weaker.

What if she doesn't survive surgery?

What if this is the last time I get to speak to her because she's not strong enough to make it?"

"Illyana?" I say softly as the doctors file out of the room. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

"Sure," she murmurs weakly.

"I—"

"Nothing too serious, I hope?" Mario Russo's voice cuts through me like a shard of ice and I freeze on the spot. A thick, strong arm suddenly winds around my waist and as I recoil, fearing Mario is beside me, a strong chest ripples under my palm.

"Daddy!" Illyana yells.

Daddy?