Overview

Rio reconnects awkwardly with Hallie’s brother, Luke, in the hospital waiting room and meets Luke’s wife, Sarah. Invited into Hallie’s father’s room, Rio learns that Mr. Hart is in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that Hallie sacrificed years to care for him. Mr. Hart urges Hallie to return to Chicago with Rio and privately asks Rio to take care of her, revealing the depth of Hallie’s burdens and prompting Rio’s guilt and resolve.

Full Summary

Rio returns to the waiting room after giving Hallie space and sits beside Luke Hart, who is accompanied by his wife, Sarah. The reunion is strained but civil; Luke shares that he married and has a two-year-old son, Hudson. When Rio tries to apologize for the past, Luke brushes it off but pointedly notes that Rio’s worst mistake was abandoning Hallie, then admits he did something similar by not being there for her.

Hallie texts Rio to come to her father’s room. Luke encourages Rio to stick around for Hallie. In Room 424, Rio greets Mr. Hart, who jokes about his condition and teases both Rio and Hallie, lightening the mood. Mr. Hart insists Hallie should go back to Chicago with Rio, saying he is fine and that she needs to return to her life. The comment echoes a past moment when Mr. Hart entrusted Hallie to Rio, and Rio promises, “Always.”

After Hallie leaves to say goodbye to Luke, Mr. Hart asks to speak to Rio alone. He tells Rio that Hallie has already forgiven him but is taking time to show it. Mr. Hart then confirms he is in remission from blood cancer—non-Hodgkin lymphoma—and that this is his second remission. He explains that today was only a scare, but that the past six years have been dominated by his illness.

Mr. Hart details Hallie’s sacrifices: upon his diagnosis, Hallie researched care options, moved with him to Minnesota, dropped out of school, then later completed courses online during his treatments. Because the Boston house sold in a poor market and he could not work during treatment, finances were tight despite a trial’s housing and caregiver stipend; Hallie worked odd jobs and attended every appointment. He indicates Hallie’s mother said something unforgivable early on and was not involved. Luke, then in his twenties, pursued school and his own life; only after marrying did he recognize the burden Hallie had carried, and he and Sarah later moved back to Minnesota. Hallie left for Chicago soon after.

When Rio asks when the initial diagnosis occurred, Mr. Hart says that part should come from Hallie, signaling a painful timeline. Rio realizes he left Hallie when she needed him most, intensifying his guilt over focusing on his own problems while she shouldered care for her father. Mr. Hart urges Rio not to let their parents’ choices dictate their own and to choose forgiveness and a future together.

Rio protests that he may not deserve forgiveness, but Mr. Hart tells him to give himself grace and to take care of Hallie now. Left with the contrast between his long-held resentment and Hallie’s deeper hurt, Rio concludes that Hallie’s pain outweighs his, and he resolves to be there for her.

Who Appears

• Rio — Chicago Raptors defenseman; supports Hallie at the hospital, meets Luke and Sarah, learns of Mr. Hart’s cancer history, resolves to take care of Hallie.
• Hallie Hart — Rio’s former love; brings Rio to her father’s room, is urged by her father to return to Chicago; previously sacrificed years to care for her father.
• Luke Hart — Hallie’s brother; married to Sarah and father to Hudson; admits he, too, abandoned Hallie then later recognized her burden.
• Sarah — Luke’s wife; new; present in the waiting room and supportive.
• Mr. Hart — Hallie’s father; in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma after a scare; privately tells Rio about Hallie’s sacrifices and asks him to care for her.
• Hudson — Luke and Sarah’s two-year-old son; mentioned via photo on Luke’s phone.
• Hallie and Luke’s mother — referenced; said something unforgivable around the original diagnosis and was not involved.