vet pline and started scrolling for God’s
Steak gubbed her hand. “Tine, tllcallhm”
Being my mother’s as expension, I grew erasing frantic a
the as well
would hear my pleas Finally, the call connected!
“Ourt” daves, pet up” you’re pressing on my hair!” Toddler hear Mandy’s teasing voice during thecal
My muddet tromm in shock, she could not believe her ears. Her bloodshot eyes were in stark contrast to her devils paletace
mint, a mustling sound came from the phone. It sounded like clothing brushing against each other.
i widened in dubelet. At this point, the rustling sounds from the phone were like an unsheathed dagger that stabbed into my chest, again and again. Every standrew blood
shipped sharply Suddenly, he shined his tone.“Stop rushing me be there soon
Tuo teach the back Can you help me zip it up.”
My mother tautrely named herpes it the was about to say something, but her breath caught in her throat. Even her fingers were membling
Thung up the call badly and I anxiously held her. “It’s not what it sounds like. It’s a misunderstanding –
Detaje brodd fructímy sentence, I suddenly beard a loud gurgie, and aird mist sprayed into the air before my eyes.
farat Diami’s serrata, but my mind went back as a faint boong nang out in my ears. The scene before my eyes froze in place as someone had pressed paise a
paosemit
nte atin aning duen my law, and my enter body was trembling.
rom the corner of her mouth down to her chin where steady dipped onto the
night Man, Dunk bent down and scooped my mulier inta hisarms Hetuedand and sprinted out the door.
hane aller han, bat nybech accidentallytripped nesp and tumblat
mar in het arang, ban face still in a statrut slack. “Are packay?
– but I soms mund ta ji as took off my shoes and hobbled atter To
miss at tieftaingh the streets, but even shaping but angreblights
When bar antrend at the hospital intrarea, the cardkalstatt who had i
Trailer sentlynek my mother to the encyİRSİN.
When the red light disse de operating room tutel on, Elpertely steal merivale the door At that mustment, Doould feelangwensliekukig verse of eshantion spread through my
“How’s their”
Tom glanced at my swollen andde with a worried frown.on fils face. “Where are your shoes?
Tdid not reply, as £ L could not hear him. Troldene stare blankly at the rest light above the operating room.
Tom’s them los pressed together and he bent down to scoop me up in his arms. He strode to a nearby bench…
24
I saw to take oft has own leather shoes. He kneeled on the floor and put his shoes on my feet, and that was when I snapped back to reality and retracted my legs.
“Don’t move. Your ankle is injured, don’t let it get cold.” Tom looked up at me. His tone was firm yet gentle.
The shoes were still warm from being worn by Tom, and the warmth slowly spread across my feet.
precisely this tiny bit of warmth that made me sob uncontrollably, tears rolling down my face.
instinctively tried to hold my breath to stop the tears, but the tension that had built up within me for so long snapped like a rubber band that had been stretched too tight, and1
I buried my face in my hands and bawled, as if I was trying to release all my fear, pain, and helplessness at unCE.
I didn’t know how long I cried. I only realized that after 1 had released all my pent–up emotions and came to my senses, Tom’s firm hands were holding my head against his chest. He was gently stroking hair in silent comfort.
“I’m sorry”
I hurriedly got free from Tom’s embrace. “Thank you,” I said quickly.
Hegered at me deeply “Don’t worry. Dr. Greg Hill is here. He’s a good doctor. Your mother will be tine”
eady stopped crying, and I nodded at his words, I subconsciously repeated his words, trying to comfort myself. “Mmm. Mom will be fine, I mumbled.
Tom stopped talicing and silently sat next to me while we waited.
The corridor was quiet. Only the occasional footsteps of passing nurses broke the silence.
fiis peaceful stillness was short–Eved My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand.
When I saw his name appear on my phone, i
ne, the calmness in me was shaken abruptly.
I never imagined a day would come when my love for him would turn into hatred.
The phone kept buzzing.
I took a deep breath and answered the call
“Grace, where are you? Everyone’s waiting for you! Are you trying to cancel this wedding?” Gavin’s sharp voice sliced through the air like a blade, his accusations painfully cutting deep into the as they entered my ears.
“Yes,” I said softly in a calm voice. “Let’s cancel the wedding”
