## The Promise in Room 314

That morning, Emma had asked everyone except her father to leave the hospital room.

Michael went to speak with the doctor. Daniel was at school preparing for his first major performance.

Robert sat beside his daughter and held her hand.

“You look frightened,” Emma said.

“So do you.”

She gave him a faint smile.

“I’m not frightened for myself.”

Emma looked toward the paper star Daniel had made and taped beside her bed.

For three months, he had practiced for the school play. He had one line at the beginning and a short solo at the end. Emma had promised she would be sitting in the front row.

Daniel did not yet understand how ill she had become.

“He wants to skip the performance,” Robert said. “Michael told him you might need him tonight.”

“That’s why I need your help.”

Emma reached beneath her pillow and removed the school program and a sealed envelope.

“If things get worse before the play, Michael will bring Daniel here.”

“He should be with you.”

“No.”

The word came with more strength than Robert expected.

“I don’t want his last memory of me to be this room. I want him to remember looking into an audience and seeing someone who loves him.”

Robert lowered his eyes.

“You’re asking me to leave you.”

“I’m asking you to be where I cannot.”

“What if—”

Emma squeezed his hand.

“Set up a video call. Let me watch from here. Daniel never has to know.”

Robert shook his head.

“I can’t make that decision for Michael.”

“That is why you cannot tell him until afterward. He would cancel everything and bring Daniel here.”

“And he will hate me.”

“Maybe.”

Emma placed the envelope in his hands.

“But one day, he’ll understand.”

Robert bowed his head against hers.

“You’re asking too much.”

“I know.”

She kissed his weathered cheek.

“Promise me you won’t come back until Daniel takes his final bow.”