Paper wings

Lena Kline is a talented 18-year-old violinist who has spent most of her life competing in prestigious music festivals. She’s known for her heart-stirring performances, but no one knows the secret she’s been hiding: Lena has restrictive cardiomyopathy, a rare condition where the heart becomes stiff and cannot pump blood effectively. It’s a ticking time bomb, and doctors have told her that without a heart transplant, she only has a few years to live. When Lena’s condition worsens, she’s admitted to a specialized hospital where she meets Max Carrington, an intelligent 19-year-old who has been living with an even rarer disease: Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD), a degenerative neurological disorder. Unlike the vibrant, determined Lena, Max has come to terms with his illness. His symptoms are progressing rapidly, and he’s already beginning to lose motor control. Max is resigned to the fact that he has no future left, and while he has a few months of clarity, he’s begun preparing for the inevitable physical and mental decline. Lena’s arrival at the hospital brings an unexpected shift in Max’s world. Her optimism and love for music reignite a spark of life in him, but there’s something about their connection that goes beyond just companionship. Max feels an intense pull toward her, but he is painfully aware that his body is betraying him, and the thought of holding her back in a relationship that can’t last seems cruel. Lena, in contrast, is fiercely determined to continue her music and chase the dream of becoming a renowned violinist despite her condition. But the closer she grows to Max, the more she feels torn between the hope that a transplant will save her and the knowledge that her time may be limited. Max is open about the reality of his situation, urging her to live fully now and not wait for things to get better. But Lena doesn’t know if she can accept a life without music or without love.