The soft hum of hospital lights filled the air as Isabella stayed by Malachi's side, holding his small hand as he drifted into a restless sleep. Roman had stepped out to speak with Dr. Martinez, but Joelle was still with them. She had been quiet since they arrived, sitting by the corner of the room with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees.

As the door to the waiting area closed behind Roman, Jey appeared, walking in slowly as he glanced around the room. His eyes softened when he saw Joelle, sitting alone in the corner.

"Hey, kiddo," Jey greeted gently, approaching her with a warm smile.

Joelle looked up at him, her expression unreadable. She didn't smile back. Instead, she simply nodded and returned her gaze to the floor.

Jey pulled up a chair next to her, his presence comforting without words. He had always had a way of making people feel at ease, and Joelle seemed to appreciate the silence.

After a few moments, Jey spoke again, his voice quieter now. "You okay?"

Joelle didn't answer right away. Instead, she shifted in her seat, tugging the edge of her hoodie sleeve nervously. She had been so focused on Malachi, her little brother, that she hadn't really processed how she was feeling about everything that had been happening over the past few weeks.

Finally, she looked up at Jey, her brown eyes filled with unspoken worries. "I'm scared," she admitted in a barely audible whisper.

Jey's heart tightened at the vulnerability in her voice. "What are you scared of?" he asked gently, his tone soft, never pushing.

Joelle bit her lip, her gaze dropping back to the floor. "I don't want Malachi to be sick. I don't want him to have to stay here. I want him to be okay." Her voice cracked, and her hands trembled as she tucked them into her lap. "But I'm scared he's not going to be okay. What if..." Her breath hitched, and she couldn't finish the sentence.

Jey sat silently for a moment, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding of what she was going through. He had seen that same fear in Roman when Malachi had first been diagnosed. It was the kind of fear that crept up slowly, but when it hit, it took away everything you thought you knew about control.

He put a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. "Joelle," he started softly, "I get it. I really do. It's okay to be scared. But you're not alone in this. You have your mom, Roman, Malachi, me... All of us. We're a team, okay?"

She nodded, but her eyes filled with tears. "But what if I lose him, Jey? What if I lose my little brother?"

Jey's chest tightened at the raw pain in her words. He didn't have the answers she needed, but he knew one thing: she needed to know she wasn't carrying this burden alone.

"Joelle," he said, his voice stronger, "you're not gonna lose him. You've been so strong for him already. And I promise you-Malachi's a fighter. He's got you and Roman and your mom in his corner. He's got all of us. That's what makes him so strong."

Joelle sniffled, her tears silently falling now, but she didn't pull away from Jey. "But what if he gets worse?" she whispered. "What if it's too much for him?"

Jey took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. He had seen so many people fight this battle, but when it was your own family... it was different. "Sometimes, life isn't fair. Sometimes it feels like everything's going wrong, but that's when you hold onto each other the most. And you can't give up. Not now. Not ever."

Joelle looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and lingering fear. "You really think he's going to be okay?"

Jey met her gaze, his expression steady. "I do. But it's not about having all the answers right now. It's about sticking together. You, your mom, your dad-all of us. That's how we get through this."

A long silence fell between them. Joelle finally wiped at her eyes, trying to compose herself. "Thanks, Jey," she said softly.

He smiled warmly, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Anytime, kid. And remember, you don't have to go through this alone. You've got me, your family... You're not in this fight by yourself."

Joelle nodded again, her tears slowing, and though she was still scared, there was a small sense of calm in the reassurance Jey had given her. It wasn't an easy road ahead, but with her family by her side, she knew she could make it through.

As the door opened softly behind them, Isabella entered, her face slightly pale, but her eyes full of love and gratitude as she walked toward her daughter.

"I'm sorry I've been so focused on Malachi," Isabella said, her voice gentle. "How are you doing, Joelle?"

Joelle smiled faintly and wiped her last tear away. "I'm okay, Mom. Just... worried about Malachi."

Isabella nodded, walking over to her daughter and wrapping her arms around her. "I know, sweetheart. I'm worried too."

Jey stood up, giving them both a small, reassuring smile before he excused himself to leave the room.

Isabella stayed beside Joelle, holding her close as they both sat quietly for a moment.

"Malachi's a fighter, Joelle. And we're all going to fight with him," Isabella said softly. "You're so strong, and I'm proud of you for being there for him. And for me, too."

Joelle looked up at her mom, her voice steadying as she whispered, "I'm just scared, Mom. I don't want anything to happen to him."

Isabella kissed the top of her daughter's head, holding her a little tighter. "I know, honey. We're going to get through this together."