CHAPTER 26
I sat on the corridor bench just outside Bill’s hospital room, hugging myself tightly. I couldn’t let them see me like this—broken, unraveling. I had to be strong for Mom, for Bill… but how do you hold it together when your heart is falling apart? My eyes were glassy, my thoughts spiraling, when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder. I looked up—and froze. Jackson. Right. He’d said he’d be back. He sat beside me without a word, his brows knit in concern. “Vanessa… are you okay?” I didn’t even know how to respond. He was the last person I expected to comfort me, especially when his presence was a part of the storm tearing me up inside. I forced a smile, weak and unconvincing. “I’m fine. Just… worried about my dad.” A lie. A half-truth. A distraction. He reached out and pulled me gently
- Writer
