LOGINChapter 47Sandra stood frozen in front of the double doors. The doctor’s last words still rang in her ears. You, Sandra, will be the one to stay by his side. All day. That’s what he needs now.Her chest felt tight. Her hands clenched at her sides. She didn’t want to accept it. She didn’t want to be the one. Not for him,Not after everything she's gone throughShe turned her head slowly and Looked to the side.Mrs Clara was there. Still weeping and Still on her knees on the cold hospital floor. Her shoulders shook with every sob. Her face was buried in her hands, but Sandra could see the lines of age, of regret, of a mother who had lost her son twice.Her heart melt, A sharp, unwanted tug in her chest. Pity. Maybe something older. Something that looked like the woman who used to call her daughter before she called her trash.But Sandra won’t let her get down. She won’t let herself feel that. She won’t show it.Her face stayed hard. Her jaw stayed locked. She turned back to the doct
Chapter 46The car engine roared as Ryan’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles went white. His eyes were fixed on the road, but he wasn’t seeing it. Not really. His mind was full, Full of thought. Full of Sandra.Every mile they drove away from Sandra’s house felt like a mile deeper into hell. His mother sat quiet in the passenger seat. Miss Clara didn’t speak. She just clutched her cane and stared out the window, her face wet with tears she’d cried at Sandra’s door.But Ryan’s mind would not rest. He kept seeing Sandra’s face. The way she pulled her hand away like his touch was poison. The way she shouted, I don’t want you. The way she slammed the door like he’d been dead to her for years.I broke her. I broke her and now she won’t let me back in.l don't blame her for any actions she's taken now,l made her that way, Ryan muttered to himselfHis chest felt tight. His breathing came fast. The road blurred as the Streetlights became streaks of gold and red.Miss C
Chapter 45Daniel’s small hands held theirs together. His fingers were warm between their cold ones. He looked up with tears on his cheeks and hope in his eyes.Monny. Daddy. Please. I want you both together.Sandra stared at their hands. At Ryan’s hand under hers. At Daniel’s fingers squeezing them both like he could force the years apart to disappear.Then Sandra was surprised. She yanked her hand away. Immediately. Fast. Like Ryan’s skin burned her. Like touching him set her nerves on fire. The separation was sharp and Violent. She didn’t say anything. Not at first. She bent down, scooped Daniel up into her arms, and held him tight against her chest. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought Ryan could hear it.She didn’t speak. She just kept on staring at Ryan. Ryan stared back. For two minutes they stood like that. Two minutes that felt like two years. No one moved, No one blinked. Mr. and Mrs. Grant watched from inside. Miss Clara stayed on her knees on the porch, forgotten
Chapter 44The question hung in the air like smoke,as Sandra froze,her eyes turned to daniel in supriseMama, Daniel’s voice was small but clear. Loud enough for the whole room to hear. Is that my other grandma? The one Daddy said didn’t want us? He ask again as if no one heard him clearSandra went stillShe was surprised. Not by the words but By the timing,By the way a five-year-old’s innocence could slice deeper than any knife. She didn’t say anything for the moment. The room went silent. So silent Sandra could hear her own heartbeat Could hear Mr. Grant’s slow breath. Could hear Mrs. Grant’s hand tremble against her chest.Outside the door, Ryan and Miss Clara froze on the porch as they overheard it, Every word. Clear through the wood and the heavy air.Daniel’s question. Both of them looked at each other. Ryan’s face cracked. Miss Clara’s eyes filled instantly. No words passed between them. None were needed. That question was a mirror, and neither of them could stand their own
Chapter 43The silence in the living room was thick enough to choke on.Ryan was still on one knee on the marble floor his Head bowed down Shoulders shaking. Not crying. Just broken. Like a man who’d run out of words and pride in the same breath.Mrs Clara stood frozen near the Her eyes were fixed on Sandra, wet and red, filled with a fear she hadn’t felt since she was a child. Fear of being seen. Fear of being rejected. Fear that it was too late.Sandra didn’t move. She stood tall in front of them, arms crossed. The sun from the window hit her face but her eyes stayed cold. Behind her, her parents had just walked in.Mr. Grant stopped mid-step. His brows pulled low. Mrs. Grant’s hand flew to her mouth. They took in the scene in one glance. Ryan kneeling. Mrs. Clara shaking, Sandra standing like a wall.Mr. Grant cleared his throat. His voice was calm but sharp, the voice of a man who protected his own. Sandra, he said carefully. Who are they?Sandra didn’t turn. She didn’t soften. S
Chapter 42Miss Clara didn’t wait for permission. She never did when it came to her son.We should go visit her,she said again, gripping her hand tighter. Her eyes were red but her jaw was set. That stubborn line Ryan knew from childhood. The one that meant she wasn’t asking,Ryan stood in her living room, still catching his breath from the run. His shirt was half untucked. His phone buzzed in his hand but he ignored it. Mom, no. Sandra won’t, she won’t want to see you. Not now. Not after everything.Everything? Miss Clara’s voice sharpened. You mean everything you did? Everything Jasmine did,you supported her, didn't you choose Jasmine over her, Mrs Clara's voice cut the houseRyan flinched. That’s not fair mom, that's not fair putting all the blame on meFair? She cut him off, pushing herself up from the couch. The cane tapped hard on the floor. You let her walk into a hospital and try to frame an innocent woman for murder. You let Sandra raise him alone while you played house with
Chapter 41The word hung in the air. Daddy.Daniels small voice was Certain. Like it had been waiting to be said for years.Sandra and Ryan didn’t breathe. Didn’t move. The apartment went dead quiet, like even the walls were shocked.Daniel looked up at Ryan with those eyes. Ryan’s eyes. Same sha
Chapter 40The alarm ripped through the hospital as the nurses run helter skelter,the Doctors shouted. The crash cart hit the doorframe and wheels squealed on tile. In two seconds the room was full of people and noise and fear.Ryan heart pound as he didn’t move from the bed. His hands were still o
Chapter 39: THE PRETENDERJasmine’s smile was still hanging in the air when the doctor pushed between Sandra and the bed. Ms. Grant, you need to step back. She just woke up from trauma. She doesn't need stress now, the doctor said, adjusting to Jasmine. His voice dropped soft for her. Sharp for Sa
CHAPTER 37Ryan dropped to his knees and grabbed Sandra’s ankles before she could follow the doctor. His palms were sweaty, desperate, clinging to her like she was the last solid thing in his crumbling world. Please. Don’t go. Just… don’t hate me like this.Sandra yanked her leg back. Hard. Her hee







