HOPE

Rachel barely remembered leaving the café. The transfer notification remained on her phone screen as she hurried through the crowded streets of Madrid. Even after checking it several times, she still could not believe the amount sitting pretty in her account. Fifty thousand euros. The number looked unreal. Every time she took her eyes off the phone, she expected it to disappear. For weeks, she had lived with the fear that Benjamin's condition would worsen before she could raise enough money. She had worked long hours at Sterling Tech during the day and spent her nights at Malasaña. She sacrificed sleep and every comfort she could afford, yet it had never seemed enough. No matter how much she saved, another bill always appeared. Now, for the first time in a very long time, she had a chance to be relieved. 

The hospital building came into view, and Rachel tightened her grip on her handbag as she walked through the entrance. The familiar scent of disinfectant greeted her immediately. Nurses moved through the corridors, patients sat quietly in waiting areas as usual and doctors disappeared behind consultation room doors. It had become a place she knew far too well.

She approached the reception desk.

"Good morning."

The receptionist looked up.

"Good morning. How may I help you?"

"My name is Rachel Martínez. My brother, Benjamin Martínez, is currently admitted here."

The woman nodded and checked the computer.

"Yes, I can see his file."

Rachel swallowed.

"I would like to pay the deposit for his surgery."

The receptionist looked at her in surprise.

"The deposit?"

"Yes."

The woman checked the screen again.

"One moment, please."

A few minutes later, Rachel completed the payment process. Her hands trembled slightly as she signed the necessary documents. Not because she regretted it. Quite the opposite. For the first time in months, she felt as though she could finally do something to save her brother. She did not feel helpless at that moment. Afterward, she was directed to Dr. Herrera's office. The doctor greeted her with warm expression as she entered.

"Miss Martínez."

Rachel sat opposite him.

"I've paid the deposit."

A smile appeared on the doctor's face.

"That's excellent news."

Rachel released a breath she had not realised she had been holding.

"What happens now?"

Dr. Herrera opened Benjamin's file and reviewed several documents before looking up.

"Now we proceed with the final pre-operative tests. If everything goes according to plan, we can schedule the surgery for next Thursday."Rachel stared at him.

"Next Thursday?"

"Yes."

The words settled over her slowly.

After weeks of uncertainty, there was finally a date and not  another consultation or delay

"Is that enough time?" she asked quietly.

Dr. Herrera nodded.

"It is. You know what is best for us, Doctor.” 

Rachel lowered her gaze briefly.

"And his chances?"

The doctor's expression softened.

"We cannot guarantee anything. No surgeon can. However, Benjamin is still young, and that works in his favour. We identified the problem before it became irreversible."

Rachel listened carefully.

"He will need recovery time afterwards. Medication as well. There will be follow-up appointments."

"I understand."

"But I believe this surgery gives him a very good chance."

Rachel felt her eyes sting.

For months, she had forced herself to stay strong. She had learned to hide her fears because Benjamin always looked at her with complete trust. If she broke down, he would worry.

Now, sitting across from Dr. Herrera, hearing those words, she finally felt a small piece of that burden lift.

"Thank you, Doctor.”

The doctor offered a gentle smile.

“You don't need to thank me yet. Save that for after the operation."

Rachel released at genuine laugh she had managed in days.

A few minutes later, she left the office and headed towards Benjamin's room. Her steps felt lighter than usual. When she reached the door, she paused for a moment before entering. Benjamin was awake. He sat propped against several pillows, a book resting on his lap. His face remained pale, but he looked better than he had the previous day. The moment he saw her, he smiled.

"There you are."

Rachel returned the smile.

"Yes! How are you?” 

"I'm fine." He managed to smile. 

"I had to speak with the doctor."

Benjamin closed the book.

"Hmm… okay.”

Rachel pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.

"It was serious."

His smile faded slightly. Rachel looked at her younger brother. She remembered every hospital visit and now she could finally give him good news.

"The surgery has been scheduled."

Benjamin blinked.

"What?"

"Next Thursday."

For several seconds, he simply stared at her.

Then a slow smile appeared.

“Reae?"

"Yes."

His eyes widened. Rachel laughed.

"I'm not joking."

Benjamin leaned back against the pillows.

For a few seconds, Benjamin simply stared at her, as though he was trying to make sure he had heard correctly.

"The surgery has been scheduled," Rachel repeated gently.

Benjamin sighed before a smile slowly spread across his face. It wasn't the wide grin he used to wear before his illness. The smile looked tired, but it was real. Relief filled his eyes almost immediately, and Rachel realised how frightened he must have been all this time. Neither of them had spoken openly about it, but they both knew what would happen if the surgery kept getting delayed. Every passing week had felt like a race against time.

"Wow," he said quietly. "Good news."

Rachel laughed softly and nodded.

"Very good news."

Benjamin settled back against the pillows, still smiling to himself. Rachel watched him carefully. Even simple movements seemed to require effort now. His face remained pale, and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes that no amount of sleep seemed capable of removing. Seeing him like this always hurt. Sometimes she found herself remembering the energetic boy who used to run around the house, talk endlessly about football, and annoy her whenever she tried to study. It was difficult to reconcile those memories with the young man lying in front of her now. For the first time in months, however, she was not looking at him and wondering what would happen next. She finally had an answer. There was a date and a chance.  Benjamin closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. The smile had not completely disappeared. Rachel reached over and adjusted the blanket covering him.

"You should have seen Dr. Herrera's face when I paid the deposit," she said, mostly to keep him from talking. "I think he was surprised."

Benjamin looked at her but remained silent.

"The surgery is next Thursday. They still need to run a few tests before then, but the doctor sounded optimistic."

She paused for a moment.

"Can you believe that? After everything we've been through, we're finally here."

Benjamin nodded slowly.

Rachel smiled and shook her head.

"I still can't believe it myself."

Her gaze drifted towards the window before returning to him. The room suddenly felt different. Not because anything had changed physically, but because the fear that had been hanging over them for months no longer felt quite so heavy. It was still there. She knew that. Surgery came with risks, and she would not allow herself to forget that. But hope had finally found its way into the room, and she intended to hold on to it for as long as possible. Benjamin continued watching her quietly. Rachel recognised that look immediately.

"What?"

Nothing.

He simply kept looking at her. She narrowed her eyes.

"I know that face."

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Rachel."

"No."

The smile widened slightly.

"I know exactly what you're thinking."

Benjamin raised an eyebrow.

"You want to know where the money came from."

His expression alone confirmed it.

Rachel sighed dramatically and leaned back in her chair.

"You're impossible."

The smile remained on his face.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. They did not need to. Rachel had spent so much of her life with her brother that silence between them had never felt uncomfortable. Sometimes it was enough just knowing the other person was there. She looked at him again and felt her chest tighten. There had been nights when she thought she might lose him. Nights when she sat alone with hospital bills spread across the kitchen table, trying to perform miracles with numbers that simply refused to cooperate. She had worked herself to exhaustion, accepted extra shifts, sacrificed sleep and ignored her own needs, yet nothing ever seemed enough. No matter how hard she tried, the amount required for the surgery always felt impossibly far away. And now it was done. The deposit had been paid and the operation had been scheduled. She could finally breathe.

"You know," she said softly, "when all of this is over, you're going back to school."

Benjamin groaned immediately.

Rachel laughed.

"Don't groan at me."

Another groan.

"You're definitely going back."

Benjamin looked away.

"Nice try."

Rachel pointed at him.

"And you're getting a job."

That earned an offended look.

"Oh, yes. A job."

Benjamin shook his head.

Rachel could not stop laughing. The expression on his face reminded her so much of the old Benjamin. A few moments later, a nurse entered the room to check his medication and monitor his vital signs. Rachel stepped aside while she worked. By the time the nurse finished and left, Benjamin looked noticeably more tired. Rachel immediately stood.

"That's enough excitement for one day."

Benjamin rolled his eyes.

"Rest."

Another eye roll.

"Benjamin."

This time he surrendered. Rachel smiled in victory and picked up her handbag.

"I have work tonight anyway."

At that, his expression changed. Rachel already knew what he was thinking.

"Don't start."

Benjamin looked unconvinced.

"I'll be fine. I promise."

Only then did he relax slightly. Rachel moved closer to the bed and brushed a hand through his hair.

"Everything is going to work out."

Rachel bent down and kissed his forehead before heading towards the door. When she looked back one last time, she found him watching her with that same quiet smile.