Chapter 4
Chapter 3: A Joint Project
Soon after, they were assigned to a special project: designing an advanced prosthesis for Curly, a young patient whose condition required both medical and technological precision. Ellen was in charge of design and programming, while Anya contributed her medical knowledge and experience with patients.
The project forced them to work together for long hours, and little by little, they began to understand each other better.
"You know?" Ellen said one night while adjusting the 3D model on her computer. "Curly reminds me of myself when I was younger."
Anya looked at her, intrigued. "Why?"
Ellen shrugged, not taking her eyes off the monitor. "He’s brave, but he’s also full of rage. That feeling that the world owes you something because of what you’ve been through."
Anya smiled tenderly. "That’s what you’re doing for him. You’re helping him see that his life doesn’t have to be defined by his past."
Ellen paused and turned to look at Anya. There was something in her words that resonated deeply with her. "Maybe..."
Anya leaned toward her with a warm look. "You know that applies to you, too, right?"
Ellen didn’t reply, but her silence wasn’t one of rejection. For the first time, she seemed to be considering what Anya had said.