All That We Carry

Sixteen-year-old Amelia Jennings has spent the last year watching her world crumble. After her mother’s sudden death, Amelia barely had time to grieve before she was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder, afibrinogenemia—a condition that makes every bruise, every cut, and every day a delicate balancing act between survival and surrender. Her body, once strong, now betrays her at every turn, leaving her exhausted and angry.

Her father, Matthew, is doing his best to keep her safe, but as a nurse, he often treats her more like a patient than a daughter. Their once-close relationship has fractured under the weight of her illness and their shared grief over her mom. Amelia feels more alone than ever—trapped in a life she no longer recognizes.

The one bright spot is Ben, the boy who lives two houses down. What started as a tentative friendship has become something deeper, though Amelia is afraid to let him get too close. Ben isn’t scared of her illness; he’s scared of losing her. As he tries to be the anchor she needs, he’s also grappling with his own family issues—particularly his distant father.

As Amelia struggles to find normalcy, she pushes away those she loves the most, including Ben and her dad. But when her health takes a turn for the worse, she’s forced to confront the reality of her future and the fragile relationships she’s been holding at arm’s length.