Chapter 38: In the Wake of Heartbeats
STANLEY He swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. Ava's gaze was unwavering. Stanley's jaw tightened. "I'm handling it." "No, you're not," Ava countered. "You're barely surviving. And now, with Mom's condition worsening and Dad still in a coma, you need to stabilize your life. You can't keep spiralling." "I see it every day. You're falling apart. You're distracted. You're... distant. And it's not just affecting you. It's affecting Mom, it's affecting the business, and it's affecting me." He stared at her, his defences weakening. "What do you want me to do?" "Be honest with yourself. With Lily. If you love her, fight for her. And if you don't, let her go. But stop living in this limbo. You're hurting everyone, especially yourself." Stanley looked away, shame burning in his chest.
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