la's

e caught my hand and drew it against his chest. My breath h

t barely reached me. "You matter to me. I wo

sting across my skin. I should have pulled back, put space betwe

ing. The world went quiet, like it didn

phone rang, snap

Aaron a quick glance. "I have to take thi

epped into the corner of the room,

el

e hospital. We need to inform you that Mrs. Jones's condition is very

longer. We need to

ghtning. My chest tightened under

ight there

room and found Aaron watching me wi

Mom was in critical condition, and they needed my consent for surgery. But how was I supposed to e

" I said quickly, forcing a smile I hoped looked nat

arpened. "Is so

en I could hear the ner

gel

ought back the tears burning behin

he said quietly. "But if you

re was so much I wanted to say, b

I whispered before

*

s filled with worst-case scenarios. I tried calling Dad several times, but like before-no

toward the ICU. A nurse

rdian for Mrs. J

that

ng to explain the procedure." She

d in his white coat, l

cy surgery to save your mother," he sai

ard. "What do

, then handed the paperwork to the nurse beside

e sign

s, and signed them quickly

ions right away," the nurse said

as I stared at the ICU doors, si

my mind-her gentle smile, her warm laugh that always made the ho

anted her back so badly. Her encouragement, her remind

completely. After taking a shaky breath,

ed through my phone-until a not

Faces Bankruptcy Am

projects. Investors pulling out. Dad's compa

mpany falling apart. My entire world was cr

thoughts, I jolted whe

la Jo

woman standing a few steps away. Her pre

Who are you?" I as

name is Victoria Bennett.

lated to that jerk? Memories from school flashed-his hands on

nt?" I asked, m

ve heard about my son, Ian. And your friend, the