Chapter 112
Mom lets out a tired laugh, rubbing her temples. “I’ll manage p>
Lilly sighs and looks at her pointedly. “I mean this in the most loving way possible, but you look like shit p>
“Language, young lady,” Mom scolds gently, raising an eyebrow. Then, without missing a beat, she adds, “And for the record, you look like shit too p>
They both laugh quietly, and despite the ache in my body, I can’t help but smile. It takes effort; every muscle feels like it’s been through war, but I smile anyway.
Lilly shakes her head, grinning. “Touché, Aunt Ivy. But seriously, please, go home. I’ll stay with her. I promise to call if anything changes p>
Mom exhales, clearly torn. “I just can’t leave her. What if she needs something? What if something happens and I’m not here p>
I can see the fatigue etched into her face, the way her shoulders are slumped. She needs rest, but I also know nothing short of divine intervention will get her to leave on her own.
I clear my throat softly, my voice rough but steady. “She’s right, Mom. You need to rest p>
Both of them whip around, eyes wide.
“Sweetheart!” Mom gasps, rushing to my bedside. Lilly follows close behind, her face breaking into a relieved smile.
“You’re awake,” Lilly breathes, relief flooding her voice. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Do you need anything p>
I try to speak, but my throat feels dry and scratchy. “Just… water p>
“I’ve got it,” Lilly says quickly, grabbing a jug and pouring some into a glass. She slips a straw in and hands it to me. My hands shake a bit, but I steady them. Damn, it’s going to take some time to get used to using my left hand.
The cool water slides down my throat, soothing the rawness in my throat. I gulp it all down before shakily handing the glass back to Lilly once I’m done.
Mom’s hand wraps around mine again, as if afraid that if she lets go, I might vanish.
“I’m so happy to see those beautiful blue eyes,” she says softly, tears threatening to fall again. 2
“Mom,” I whisper, fighting a smile. “Stop it p>
She gives me a watery wink. “What? It’s true p>
“I know what you’re trying to do and you’re not getting out of this,” I tell her, managing a small chuckle. “You need to go home and Rest. You said you wanted to be here when I woke up, and now I’m up. So technically, you’ve kept your promise p>
She opens her mouth to argue, but I lift my cast hand in protest. “No excuses, Mom. Please. You look exhausted p>
“I can’t just leave you here,” she says, her voice cracking.
“I’m not alone,” I remind her gently. “Lilly’s with me, and the doctors are just a button away. You’ve done enough. Let them take care of me now p>
Lilly nods, giving her a reassuring smile. “I promise I won’t leave her side, Aunt Ivy p>
Mom hesitates, clearly fighting the urge to argue again. Finally, with a deep sigh, she brushes a strand of hair from my forehead. “Fine. But only for a few hours,” she concedes. “If anything changes p>
“You’ll be the first to know,” I finish for her.
She leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. “I love you, baby p>
“I love you too, Mom p>
It takes another ten minutes and a lot of persuasion from both me and Lilly before she finally leaves. 15
As the door closes behind her, I sink back against the pillow, and immediately the dream I just had rushes back in pieces. My son’s laughter, his little hands reaching for me, and then his screams as he’s dragged into the mist and Chloe’s cold smile.
My body begins to tremble, and the beeping on the monitor picks up. A chill encases my heart, melting away all the warmth I’d been feeling just moments ago.
Lilly rises instantly, alarmed. “Sierra? What’s wrong p>
I force a shaky breath as I try to block out the dream, but I can still hear his screams. I can still hear him calling for me… And in all the chaos of my mind, I can clearly hear Chloe’s dark voice. 2
“He was never yours to keep p>
I squeeze my eyes shut at the echoes of her voice, trying to push it out of my head. I know it’s just a dream. I know she’s gone… but I can’t stop wondering: What if she’s right? What if this is a warning?