1st-person POV, scene 2

Lucas's face fell, his goofy grin vanishing. His eyes, wide behind the thick lenses of his glasses, brimmed with concern. "How sick is she?" he whispered, barely audible.

I knelt down to his level, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's getting the best care possible. That's why you're here with me. We'll look after each other, okay?"

Lucas nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. Max nuzzled his hand. I gave Lucas a reassuring squeeze before heading to the kitchen.

"How about a grilled cheese?" I asked, opening the fridge and pulling out some cheddar and bread.

Lucas managed a small smile, following me into the kitchen. "Sure," he said, taking a seat at the counter.

As I heated the skillet, the sizzle of butter meeting the pan filled the room. I layered slices of cheese between the bread, pressing them down with the spatula. The aroma of melting cheese began to ease some of the tension in the air.

I glanced over at Lucas. He was absentmindedly stroking Max's fur, his brow furrowed in thought. "Thanks, Uncle Alex," he said quietly, breaking the silence.

"Anytime, buddy," I replied, flipping the sandwich. "We'll get through this together."

Once the grilled cheese was golden brown and crispy, I slid it onto a plate and handed it to Lucas. He took a bite, his face relaxing slightly as he chewed.

Leaving Lucas to his snack, I returned to my laptop. As I scanned my inbox, a few messages from a dating app caught my eye. I opened the first profile.

Jake: Investment banker. Hobbies: cycling, travel, and classic films. Social drinker, non-smoker. Loves his laptop, espresso, and wine. "Looking for someone to share this adventure called life."

Derrick: Video-game store manager. Hobbies: dancing, yoga, comedy, and sci-fi movies. Frequent drinker, smoker. Loves his iPhone, cats, and nightclubs. "Looking for someone to have fun with. You only live once!"

Liam: High school teacher. Hobbies: hiking, reading, and playing the guitar. Social drinker, non-smoker. Loves his coffee, his dog Rocky, and live music. "Looking for someone to explore the world with and share quiet evenings at home."

Vivian: Hostess at a five-star restaurant. Hobbies: volunteering, softball, action movies, and thrillers. Social drinker, non-smoker. Loves candy, chapstick, and TV. "Everything happens for a reason."

Nicole: Pharmaceutical representative. Hobbies: travel, cooking, and shopping/antiquing. Social drinker, smoker. Loves her poodle, Sasha, Thai and Indian food, and romantic comedies. "Looking for someone who knows how to treat a lady with respect and won't run away when I fall down."

Samantha: Graphic designer. Hobbies: painting, photography, and yoga. Occasional drinker, non-smoker. Loves her sketchbook, herbal tea, and indie films. "Seeking someone creative and kind who enjoys spontaneous adventures and deep conversations."

I sighed, closing the app. The world was falling apart, and here I was, scrolling through profiles like it was any other day. But maybe a bit of normalcy wasn't such a bad thing.

If I had to pick one, I would choose…