esk, a stack of papers in front of him, his mind consumed with numbers and deadlines. His world, the one he had meticulously cra

his mind for the past few weeks-the conversation with his mother and Zane's mother, the one that had made him realize how far apar

startling him. He glanced down at the screen, an

ightly as he answe

.. she's had a heart attack," his father's v

er was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. He could hear the

k. He didn't bother to grab his coat or his briefcase. He didn

ng past him. How had things gotten so out of control? Was this

other's bedside, looking pale and drained, his hands clasped tightly together as he stared at the floor. Across from him, Noah was seated,

r, usually so vibrant and strong, looked frail and pale on the hospital b

as he stepped into the room, unable t

er! Too involved in your work to be here for her!" His voice was harsh, full of resentment. "You c

words to fight back. He couldn't justify his absence. There was no excuse for it. His mother

sound echoed in the room, sharp and painful. The force of it made Carter's head snap to the side, but he didn't say anythin

sibly shaken, said nothing. Zane and his family, who had quietly listening everything, exc

there, his eyes focused on his mother, and he couldn't bring himself to

gone still, his mother's faint

but strong enough to make everyone in the

e reached for his hand weakly, her frail fingers curling around

rely more than a whisper. "I know I've asked too muc

as he tried to hold back the tears threatening t

ppy. I want you to settle down... I know it's been difficult for you, and

tomach churned. He had avoided this for so long, and now his mother, frail and vu

avoiding-the past, the hurt, the unresolved feelings. But now, with his mother lying in fron

ice steady but soft. "Oka

ation. His father, Noah, Ethan, Zane and his f

ittle, but his eyes remained wary. Ethan looked almos

ir. Everyone turned to look at Zane

le, his gaze fixed on the back of Carter.

thing pressing down on both of them. Carter had agreed, but now it was Zane's turn. Would h