na's

into the parking lot, my fingers tightenin

oward my car, their steps unhurried l

ancing down

the h

art s

u

called me lik

eling crept

ething

s the screen and broug

llo

controlled. "We would appreciate it if you can arrive at the hospi

nside me dro

tightened as my leg

okay?" I stammere

was a

ur presence before w

all e

ond, my eyes wide, my mind refus

o

no

re

out, my feet already moving as I r

quickly, my voice breaking slightly. "I think somethi

across Brent's face, something I couldn'

e to get the driver

head immedi

. I turned to Joan, stretching out

fingers tightening

d softly, her voice dragging slightly. "Isn't there

me. I didn't have the

hand without thinking and pu

or this," I said, my

wait for

I unlocked it and got in. The engine roared to life al

bout the looks

re about an

think about

ve felt

ring wheel, my heart pounding loudly

e be

just

oat tight as I pressed h

happen. He

to be

eady shaking. I parked carelessly and rushed out, ba

Orl

roached me

" I said quickly. "My f

come w

but it didn't make

allway, my steps unsteady

up this morning," she e

ndition suddenly worsened in the afternoon. He ha

tightened

ly wor

o

and the moment I step

chines connected t

, loud in my ears as I stared at h

ad

I rushed to his side, my fin

colder t

ion blurring as tears filled my eyes. "Yo

n't re

a slight

the tears finally sl

softly, shaking his hand

th

ept beeping, s

his expression serious as

tep aside

ad immediatel

peated, more fi

ound my father's hand as I st

ng the machines, adjusting some

tarted happe

e dropping," o

voice shaking as I looked betwe

answe

jerked slightly, and my he

ad

rward but the nu

tay back,

c rising. "What's hap

arted making a

ud

st

sudde

owed

ing wen

t the monitor, my heart po

o.

y, pressing something,

come on..."

embling as I watched them move aro

my voice barely audible.

ds pa

ybe m

even know

doctor

om wen

ightening painfully as he s

dwell," he said qui

re, staring at h

t h

o

y head slowly. "N

were alre

e sheet, gently pulling

hands shaking as I grabbed the sheet. "He's

broke c

, my tears falling freely now. "Y

didn'

n't re

nfully, it star

as g

lips as I bent over hi

begged, gripping the sheet

s didn't ma

ing

how long I

they gently p

hey told me to g

nt, they to

, my vision blurr

her wa

ly I had left

al, the day was still up, people still

ing had cha

moment, staring ah

my hand moved

thing there, but something was th

ave now," I whis

plan for you but y

, my fingers pressing li

d softly. "I'll raise

tter

had to d

d walked to my car, my mo

nt, I just

my phone and dial

ang

ic

e ti

e pick

el

," I said immediately, my v

was a

ha

d. "Let's end it. We can get d

the other end. For a second,

voice c

Then the li

e phone, my gr

hitting the steering wheel lightly. I w

e back f

qu

n slowly, my steps heavy. B

around his arm while his elbow rested

ked wo

dn't

lready

d before," I said immediately, my v

me, his brows

ed. "Why would you want that now

ry laugh l

ust don't have a reaso

llowe

I did my job. The ma

ion hardene

he contract early, you won't get

ber," I

till want

es

ay anything else,

d, her hand tightening slightly around his arm. "The

greed with her. But Bre

ing?" I asked, my

tened slightly, his

room," he said.

ed. "A

t skipp

happ

hoed from the stairs. The doctor cam

tone serious. "The boy needs to be b

st tig

with him?" I

nd clenche

's been calling for you, so you see why...I...I can't let you

of mess is this? Is the univer

yes pleading. His hands

eave now that