Mag-log in[Griffin]
I’m in the middle of attending a video conference when Nora calls and informs me about Cora’s relapse.
I don’t think I have ever run faster.
Before I know it, I’m throwing the doors open, my phone still glued to my ear, and rushing to my car as fast as my feet can carry me.
During the whole drive, I don’t let myself think about anything but Cora and the treatment regimen I have followed so far. I think about her last surgery
[Elara]When Cora is being taken to the OR, I follow them until I’m allowed.I keep up with the gurney as it hurtles down the corridor, my hand tightly clasped around Cora’s tiny, cold fingers.“Mommy’s right here, baby,” I whisper, running my other hand frantically through her soft curls, trying to keep my voice from trembling. “You’re going to be okay. Daddy Griffin is going to fix this.”A nurse gently but firmly steps in front of me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “This is as far as you can go, Ma’am. We need to get her prepped.”The gurney doesn't stop. I'm forced to let go of Cora’s hand, feeling the chill of the air replace her warmth.I press my forehead against the cold glass, my chest heaving as tears finally overflow, blinding my vision.“Please, God,” I whisper into the empty air, clutching my arms around myself to keep from falling apart.
[Griffin]I’m in the middle of attending a video conference when Nora calls and informs me about Cora’s relapse.I don’t think I have ever run faster.Before I know it, I’m throwing the doors open, my phone still glued to my ear, and rushing to my car as fast as my feet can carry me.During the whole drive, I don’t let myself think about anything but Cora and the treatment regimen I have followed so far. I think about her last surgery and try to understand what might have gone wrong this time. According to her previous scans, she shouldn’t have suffered a relapse so soon. Although weak, her heart has been stable, and even though she couldn’t be as active as other normal kids, it was still alright if she worked herself up a little.When I reach the hospital, the CMO is already outside the glass doors, waiting for me with the other doctors and nurses.He starts rattling off updates the moment he’
My blood runs cold. I’m on the floor beside her before I even realize I’ve moved. “What’s wrong, sweetie? What hurts?”Her little chest is heaving, each breath a shallow, painful struggle. Her small hands clutch at her shirt, her knuckles white.“My… my chest,” she whimpers, her lips turning a faint, alarming shade of blue. “It… it hurts.”The world narrows to the size of her terrified face. The sounds of the game, the distant chatter of the adults, all of it fades into a dull, meaningless hum. All I can hear is the frantic, uneven rhythm of her breathing. All I can feel is the cold, clammy sweat on her skin.And mine.“Get the car,” I shout at no one in particular, my voice sharp, laced with a panic I can’t contain. “We need to go to the hospital. Now.”I scoop her up into my arms, her body limp and heavy against mine. She feels smaller than sh
[Elara]“This was really not necessary.”I look up at the vast villa in front of me and groan inwardly.A lot has happened in the past hour.And by a lot, I mean I went from sitting comfortably in my humble little apartment to being practically dragged out by my mother and father and brought to this enormous establishment that looks nothing short of a fort.The place is massive. Tall stone walls surround the property, with huge iron gates at the entrance and enough security to make me wonder if we’re visiting a royal family instead of my own.There are perfectly trimmed gardens on either side of the long driveway, rows of trees standing like they’ve been placed there specifically to make the place look even more intimidating. Even the villa itself looks less like a home and more like a palace hidden behind layers of security and privacy.And apparently, this is supposed to be mine.Despi
[Beatrice]“I’m here to see Ms. Gordon. Could you please let her know that Beatrice Blackwood is here to see her?” I ask the receptionist, and she immediately nods, typing something into her system.Clack. Clack. Clack.Then, she picks up the phone in front of her and dials four digits.“Hello, Ms. Gordon. I’m really sorry to disturb you right now, but someone named Beatrice Blackwood is here to see you. Should I send her up?”There’s a pause. A long, drawn-out pause.The receptionist listens, her expression professional.Finally, she hangs up.“Ms. Gordon is busy right now. You can either wait for her to get free, or you can come back later. The choice is yours.”But I don't move.Not an inch.Because I know she's not busy. She's just playing games. Trying to make me wait, trying to make me feel small.It's a classic power move.One I've used myself countless times.I don't want to admit it, but I'm kind of impressed. I didn't expect her to learn so quickly.Then again, she was once
[Nora]I follow Mom with a nervous flip in my stomach.Even though I know why she has called me out, I can’t help but grow nervous, especially with the way she’s carrying herself and that familiar frown sitting on her face.My mom is all sweet and sugar, everything that reminds you of flowers and sunshine. But when she’s angry, it’s something my brothers and I know better than to take lightly.By the time I shut the glass door behind me, Mom is already standing near the metal railing, her arms crossed over her chest.“Mom.”“Is what you told me last night true?” she asks, not even looking at me. Her eyes remain fixed ahead, as if something in the distance has caught her attention.“Yes.”“Did you take care of it?”“Yes and no?”She turns sharply, her dark eyes sharp and icy.“Are you telling me that woman is still running around that place like she actually owns it?”“Mom, that’s not—I have a plan. I just—”“Just give me a definitive answer, Nora.”I look down at my feet. “She’s still
[Damon]Sometimes I wonder how my life would have been if Hannah hadn’t run away on the day of our wedding. If she were my wife. If this morning were just like any other day—instead of me feeling guilty as hell for sleeping with her.I don’t know how to describe this feeling in my chest. It’s as he
[Elara]When I walk inside Cora’s ward, I find her already waking up.She looks confused at first, her gaze darting around the room—until her eyes land on me. Then, relief floods her tiny face.“Mommy,” she whispers, her voice so small and fragile it shatters me completely.“Hey, sweetheart.” I rush
[Elara]“Come on, I’ll show you to your room,” says Nora, already dragging me away from the couch and heading for the grand staircase. “You too, Cora.” She picks her up on the way, squeezing her cheeks. “I have personally designed your room. It took a while, but I think it turned out great.”“Reall
[Elara]The drive to the mansion isn’t a long one.Barely ten minutes have passed when the cars start circling the roundabout and pulling up in the grand driveway.“Mommy, this place is so huuuuuge,” Cora gasps, her hands pressed against the window, her face glued to the glass. Then, as if struck b







