Chapter 31
Chapter 30. A Mother’s Fear
Im really sorry. Mia. I would understand if you fired me
“No. Anna. It’s okay, though it’s not okay that Rylie is here and almost. I gasped, holding my breath. It was hard for me to say that I had almost lost Rylie. If that ever happened. I don’t know what I would do. “but it was an accident. You didn’t mean for it to happen.”
My knees buckled, and I had to sit down to calm myself. “It’s actually my fault. I should have checked their medication stock. How could L…
“Mia… please don’t blame yourself.” Anna caressed my back, crying. “It’s really my Lault. I promise to be more careful next time. I won’t leave them alone again
“Mommy”
Ryker’s voice echoed in the hallway of the energency room.
1 quickly wiped away my tears. “Fix yourself, Anna,” I whispered.
Standing up. I turned to meet my son as he ran toward me. He threw his arms
ms around my waist, burying his face against my stomach.
I stroked his hair, feeling guilty that my son had to go through this. My eyes smet Liam’s. He was holding Rylie’s favorite stuffed toy–SpongeBob
But I quickly averted his gaze. I hate that I had to trust my son to him earlier. I hate that.
“Momany..” Ryker’s lips trembled as he looked up at me. I crouched down to his level.
Tm sorry, Mommy. I failed to protect Rylic. It was
is my fault that Rylie is here… I think I gave her the wrong medicine. I thought it would make her better. She said her head was aching, and and.
Ryker couldn’t finish his sentence, his small body trembling. He rubbed his eyes furiously, trying to stop himself from crying.
My heart was aching for what my son had experienced. I couldn’t imagine how scared he was when he saw Rylie suffering
“It’s okay, baby” I reassured him softly. “I know you didn’t mean it. Rylie knows that, too. And she’s okay now. There’s nothing to worry about”
“Can I see her now. Mommy!”
I caressed his cheek and kissed his forehead. Later, baby. They still need to run some tests on her. You can see her once they transfer her to her room here at the hospital.”
Ryker nodded. “I brought her favorite stuffed toy–oh, I forgot it in Uncle Libq’s car”
Uncle Liam!
“Here” Liam handed my son the stuffed toy he h
had been carrying
He crouched down to Ryker’s level and ruffled his hair. “See? I was right. Your sister is okay, and you have nothing to worry a
about, Ryker.”
Ryker had said he didn’t like him, but it seemed that had changed as he gave Liam Anderson a small smile. “Thank you for bringing me here. Uncle
Liam nodded, his gaze soft as he looked at my son. “You’re welcome, buddy”
“Miss Muller?”
I stood
I up when Kylie’s doctor called my name. I looked at Hyker and gently caressed his small face.
“Suy with Anna, all right? Don’t wander off. I’ll just talk to the Doctor”
“Can I stay with Uncle Liam?”
ty mouth opened in surprise, speechless. Just a day ago, Ryker had made it clear how much he didiked Liam’s presence, yet now he was asking to
My stay with him
Waiting for you. I take care of Ryker.
“Mia, the doctor is waiting
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Okay. Thank you.. Liam”
12:17 PM
Chapter 31
p Ryker. I turned away. My son didn’t even protest–be wrapped his arms around Liam’s neck as if he were already used
After watching Liam pick up to him
Calm yourself. Mia. He won’t do anything bad to your son–Anna’s with them. He’s not going to hurt Ryker.
How’s Rylie, doctor!”
“As I mentioned earlier, we will keep her under observation. She’s stable, but her test results indicate her blood levels are lower than they should It seems your daughter is suffering from anemia.
“Anemia? Is that why she has a fever and complained of dizziness”
“Probably. That’s also why her allergic reaction was more severe than expected. Anemia can make it harder for the body to recover and weakens the immune system”
I held my breath, anxiety tightening my chest. “Is there something else wrong with her! She’ll be okay, right?”
The Doctor hesitated before answering “Right now, we’re focusing on stabilizing her condition, but we need to run more tests to rule things out
Rule things out?
The phrase sat heavily in my mind, a quiet warning that they suspected something
gmore but weren’t ready to say it
“We’ll monitor her closely and start her anemia treatment. You can see her now—she should wake up soon.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding despite the fear crawling inside me. “Okay, thank you, Doctor. I trust you to take care of my
I turned on my heels and walked toward Rylie’s bed.
My chest tightened at the sight of her. I pulled up a chair, taking her small hand in mine, my thumb brushing her soft skin.
“Baby, please be okay. You don’t want Mommy to cry, right!”
A small sound escaped her lips, and her eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes.
daughter.”
“M–Mommy_” she murmured, trying to smile. It was her way of showing me she was okay. “D–Don’t cry. Rylie is okay.” she whispered before closing her eyes again.
I covered my mouth, holding back a sob.
I stayed with her until the nurses told me they had to transfer her to a private room.
Leaving the
anns
emergency room, I went to get Ryker, but my steps faltered when I saw Liam still carrying him. My son was already
dy fast a
asleep in his
Our eyes mel, and he looked at me with quiet concern.
Thank you for taking card of Ryker. Let me carry him.”
Liam ignored my words and held onto Ryker as I tried to take him. “How’s Rylie?”
“She’s okay.” I replied, choosing not to share what the Doctor had said. “Now, let me=”
“Is she being transferred to her room? Ryker’s kind of heavy. Let me carry him, Mia
“It’s okay, Liam. I’ve already inconvenienced you-
“I told you, you are
you, you are not an inconvenience.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Would you
ou still act like this if I didn’t look like your ex–wife?
I knew I sounded ungrateful–he was helping me, yet here I was, lashing out. But I couldn’t help it. My emotions were unstable, and seeing Ryker so comfortable with him, even sleeping in his arms, only unsettled me further.
Mia-
I turned toward the voice calling my name, and my defenses crumbled when I saw Gavin rushing toward me.
2/3
Chapter 31
Finally, the one person I could trust was here.
“Anna called me, but my phone was on si
silent
He didn’t get to finish before I threw my arms around him, my tears spilling freely. I cried against his chest, unable to hold it in any longer
He held me tightly, his voice soft in my ear. “Shh, it’s okay, Mia. I’m here. You’re not alone.”
It took a while before I calmed down. Gavin gently wiped my face, his touch comforting.
I turned, feeling an intense gaze on me.
Liam Anderson.
He tried to mask his emotions, but his eyes betrayed him.
Without a word, I reached for Hyker. Liam hesitated–his grip on my son tightening momentarily before he finally let go.
Gavin was quick to step in “Let me, Mia” he said, easily lifting Ryker into his arms.
“Thank you for your help, Mr. Anderson-
you don’t have to thank me. Mr. Winslow. I did it for them, not for you”
Liam’s cold gaze shifted to me. Til be leaving. Mia. You don’t have to come to work for now. Focus on Rylie’s healthTM
Before I could speak, he had already turned his back and walked away.
