"Don't cry—smile for me," Sofia whispered as Sterling pressed his forehead to hers. "Don't say that," Sterling said, voice raw. "Don't ask me to do what's impossible." "Then promise," Sofia said. "Promise you'll keep them safe. Promise you'll live for us." Sterling wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of his hand and found blood on his fingers. He didn't flinch. "I promise. I promise you everything." A nurse hovered at the doorway, eyes glossy, tablet clutched like a shield. Cillian stood just behind her, jaw tight, fingers working a phone he refused to use. "Stay back," Sterling said to the nurse without looking up. "We don't need witnesses." "You need an oxygen adjustment," the nurse said. "She's unstable—" "She's not unstable," Sterling snapped. "She's dying like everyone else dies. Let me be with her." Sofia's laugh was a thin thing. "Always dramatic." "Not dramatic enough," Sterling said, dropping his voice. "Tell me what hurts." "Not you," she said. "You hurt later. You promise?" Her fingers found his hand and squeezed. "On my name," Sterling said. "On my company. On everything I am." "Then keep your vows," she said. "Keep it for me, for Holden, for the house. Don't let them take it." "Who?" Sterling asked, eyes burning. "Who will I burn first?" Sofia smiled, small and stubborn. "Start with the ones who smile in other people's funerals." "Say their names." She tried