Chapter 3

‎The streetlights blurred as I dragged myself down to mum’s house. My feet screamed from the airport, the hospital, the support group, everything crammed into one endless day. When the house finally came into view, that little semi-detached with the faded blue door, I stopped dead.

‎Six years. I had walked away from this place convinced I would never come back. Now here I was. It looked exactly the same.

‎The key from Aunt Viv felt ice-cold in my palm, inserting it, I let myself in.

‎I entered the hallway keeping my eyes locked straight ahead toward the dining room, refusing to glance at the photo wall on the right. I knew what they showed; me missing a tooth with mum and dad on their anniversary cruise, Jo and me in matching Christmas jumpers. Not tonight. I couldn’t do that right now.

‎The house felt too big and too empty. Mum’s absence pressed against every corner. She had lived here alone after I dragged my life to Manchester, after Dad. I stood in the middle of the living room for a long moment. My throat tightened. Mum had been here alone after Dad. Now it was my turn.

‎“A dog.” The words broke the silence. “It would keep her company.”

‎I pulled my phone out, thumb hovering over Jo’s name. I owed her a call. She deserved the truth about today, about Heath, about the contract, about the devil I was seriously considering bargaining with. But before I could tap the screen, it lit up in my hand. Jo. Of course.

‎“Hey.”

‎“Kat-” her voice cracked “How’s Mum? You’re with her, right? The silence over here is becoming unbearable.”

‎I sank onto the sofa, kicking off my shoes. “She’s stable, but she’s still in the induced coma. Right now...” my hands reached down to rub my feet “…Aunt Viv’s staying with her. I’ve been there all day, and just needed to lie down”.

‎“Kat. Don’t do that.”

‎“Do what?”

‎“Lie to me. I’ve known you since we were thirteen. What’s really going on?”

‎I rubbed my forehead, exhaustion and guilt twisting together. “Mom is really stable for now.”

‎“But you weren’t there all day, were you?” the breathing on the other end tightened “You sound wrecked. Where were you?”

‎A logical reason to tell her the truth formed, just in time, but dissolved just before it could be said.

‎“I… I had to clear my head. But Jo, I’m really sorry you’re still stuck in Manchester dealing with the flat. It’s not fair.”

‎Jo exhaled shakily. “The landlord is dragging his feet, but I’ve almost got back all our things. I hate that I’m not there. I should’ve come with you. What if something happens to her while I’m—”

‎“Stop,” I cut in gently. “You’ve done everything. We have done everything. We just have to hope everything would be fine.”

‎For a second her voice softened. “I love you, Kat, but I’m scared. We already lost Dad… if we lose her too—”

‎“Don’t say that.” My throat tightened. The fear we’d both been carrying since the ICU surged up, raw and ugly. “We’re not losing her. I won’t let it happen.”

‎“Then tell me we have a plan,” Jo said. “Because I’m losing my mind here.”

‎I took a breath. This was the moment. I could tell her about Heath and the contract. But then I heard the exhaustion in her voice, the self-blame, and the words died.

‎“I’ve been thinking about the bank,” I said instead. “A loan. We could put the house up as collateral." Jo went silent, and it stretched for a long time. I was about to say something, but she cut me off

‎“The house?” Jo’s voice rose. “Mum’s house? The one Dad bought for her? Kat, are you serious right now?”

‎“What else do you want me to do?”, the stress finally cracking me open. I shot up from the sofa, pacing. “I’ve applied to every single job I could find. Nothing. Mum gets moved out of ICU on Friday if we don’t pay. Tell me, Jo. What do we do?”

‎“You’re talking about risking the last thing we have left of them!” Jo fired back, “I know you’re scared. I’m terrified too. But this—”

‎“This is all we have!” My voice broke, the tears were burning hot in my eyes. “Jo. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t watch Mum die because I was too proud to-“

‎“Because of you?” Jo cut in, “Kat… Dad worked himself into the ground after everything that happened with Heath. Because of that video and the shame you brought home. And now you want to risk the house he bought to protect us? After everything we lost because of your choices back then?”

‎The words landed like a slap. I froze in the middle of the living room, unable to say a word.

‎Jo realized what she’d said almost immediately. “Wait—Kat, I didn’t mean—”

‎“No. You did.” My voice was shaking. “You meant it. Say it. Say it’s my fault we’re here.”

‎“I’m.. I'm so sorry Kat,” Jo choked out. Her voice fracturing completely, I heard her trying to hold back a sob but it came out anyways.

‎The fight drained out of me as quickly as it had come. I sank back onto the sofa, tears slipping down my cheeks. “I know. I know you’re scared. I’m sorry I’m even suggesting this, but I don’t know what else to do.”

‎“I’ll handle the bank when I get there” Joe whispered sounding exhausted. “You just… focus on Mum… and be careful”

‎“And I know you hate the hospital, Kat. But please… make sure you go see her tomorrow, okay?”

‎“I will”

‎I was lying.

‎Jo was right, I did hate hospitals. The smell alone was enough to make my skin crawl. But that wasn’t the real reason I was avoiding Mum’s room. I knew that the second I saw her lying there, I would break. I would walk straight to Moore Holdings and sign that contract with Heath on a whim, trading whatever was left of my dignity for her life. I didn’t want to make that decision while my emotions were raw, I couldn’t afford to.

‎I almost told her about Heath then. The words were right there, but I couldn’t. Not after that.

‎“Thank you,” I whispered. “I love you, Jo. Hurry up and get here.”

‎“I love you more. Call me tomorrow, okay? And please no more lies.”

‎“Promise.”

‎The call ended. The house felt even emptier.

‎I headed straight for the shower, twisting the water as hot as it would go. Heath couldn’t be the only answer. There must be a loophole. There has to be, and I’ll find it.

‎But even as I said the words, the thought of seeing him again, being that close to him rushed in.

‎I pressed my forehead to the cool tiles and let the water run. I had to find another solution.

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