Don'T Break My Heart

James and Lily live in a small town in the central United States. They fall in love in high school, and Lily becomes pregnant with James's child. James's father, a brilliant cardiac surgeon at MCASOM(Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine), passes away young. His mother, holding onto regret, hopes her son will fulfill his father's unfinished career. After graduating high school, James receives a full scholarship to MCASOM. In contrast, Lily comes from an ordinary family. However, James's mother approaches Lily, forcing them to...

Don'T Break My Heart

James and Lily live in a small town in the central United States. They fall in love in high school, and Lily becomes pregnant with James's child. James's father, a brilliant cardiac surgeon at MCASOM(Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine), passes away young. His mother, holding onto regret, hopes her son will fulfill his father's unfinished career. After graduating high school, James receives a full scholarship to MCASOM. In contrast, Lily comes from an ordinary family. However, James's mother approaches Lily, forcing them to...

The ultrasound photo trembles in my hand, the grainy image barely showing the flicker of a heartbeat. Lily’s fingers tighten around mine as her mom prays softly in the corner. I should be strong right now—I should say something sure, something like ‘We’ll figure it out.’ But all I hear is my mother’s voice from last night: ‘Your father never got to save a single life. You have his hands, James. Don’t waste them on a girl who trapped you.’

I look at Lily’s tired eyes, the way she bites her lip like she’s already apologizing for existing. The nurse knocks gently. ‘Time’s up,’ she says, not unkindly. My phone buzzes—Mom again. The acceptance letter from MCASOM glows on the screen: FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP ACTIVATED.

One text could change everything. Tell Mom I’m staying. Or tell Lily I need to go.

My thumb hovers over the keyboard.