Her return His reckoning

Mommy… my tummy hurts.” Luna looked up from the kitchen sink, hands still wet from washing Emery’s favorite pink lunchbox. Her heart skipped. Emery stood in the hallway, tiny hands on her belly, pale and shaky. Again? Luna dried her hands quickly and knelt down. “Come here, baby. Let me feel.” Emery walked slowly, dragging her feet, and Luna pulled her close. Her daughter’s skin was warm, and she looked so tired. Not the kind of tired that came from playing too much, this was something deeper. “Did you eat your breakfast?” Luna asked softly. “I tried,” Emery mumbled. “But the pancakes made my tummy do a flip.” Luna forced a small smile. “A flip, huh? That doesn’t sound fun.” “I didn’t like the smell today,” she added, curling into her mom’s arms. “Can I lie down?” Luna didn’t hesitate. “Of course, baby. Let’s get you comfy.” She led Emery to the couch and wrapped her in a blanket. Emery closed her eyes immediately, her little hands gripping her worn-out bunny plushie. Luna sat on the edge of the couch, brushing a strand of hair from Emery’s forehead. “Does it hurt a lot?” Emery shook her head. “It just feels... weird. Like I’m full even when I’m not.” “You didn’t feel like this yesterday, right?” “I dunno... I was sleepy yesterday too.” Luna’s fingers tightened around her phone. She tried not to panic, but the sick feeling in her stomach had been growing for weeks. She reached for her phone and dialed a number. “Dr. Patel’s office,” came the cheerful receptionist’s voice. “It’s Luna Rivera. I think something’s wrong with Emery.” There was a pause. “Hold on, Luna. Let me get the doctor.” A moment later, Dr. Patel’s calm voice came on the line. “Luna? What’s going on?” “It’s Emery. She’s been tired for weeks, but now she says her stomach hurts. She didn’t even eat her pancakes, and she loves those. She’s pale and weak. I think something’s wrong.” “Bring her in,” he said immediately. “I want to take a look at her.” “I’ll be there in fifteen.” The drive felt like forever. Emery sat quiet in the backseat, her head leaning against the window. Her bunny was in her lap, but she wasn’t talking to it like she usually did. “You okay back there, baby?” Luna asked, glancing in the rearview mirror. “I’m sleepy,” Emery said faintly. “Is the doctor gonna make me feel better?” Luna’s chest ached. “Yes. He always does, doesn’t he?” “But last time I still felt funny after. My legs were heavy.” “You didn’t tell me that,” Luna said gently. “I didn’t wanna make you sad,” Emery whispered. Luna swallowed hard. “You won’t ever make me sad by telling me the truth, okay? I need to know when something feels wrong.” “Okay.” Emery gave a weak nod and closed her eyes. By the time they reached the clinic, Luna’s palms were sweating. Dr. Patel didn’t waste time. They drew blood, took her vitals, and asked a lot of gentle questions. “When did she start losing weight?” he asked, flipping through the chart. “A couple of weeks ago. I thought it was just a phase. Kids change, right?” “She’s been eating less?” “Some days she barely touches her lunch. But she said she wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t push her.” He didn’t respond. Just looked down at the chart, lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m not a bad mom,” Luna blurted quietly. “I just... I didn’t know it was this serious.” “You’re not a bad mom,” Dr. Patel said, meeting her eyes. “You brought her in. You’re doing the right thing.” Then the nurse returned with the results. Luna watched his expression shift. “Doctor?” she asked. “What is it?” He looked up. “Luna, you need to take her to St. Gregory’s. Right now. I’ve already called ahead.” Luna froze. “What? Why? What’s wrong?” “She has a rare blood disorder. It’s serious. Life-threatening.” Her ears rang. “No. That can’t be right.” “I wish it weren’t. But she needs a stem cell transplant as soon as possible. Her blood counts are dangerously low.” Luna stood, her voice shaking. “Okay. I’ll do it. Take whatever she needs. Take my blood, my marrow, anything.” Dr. Patel gently shook his head. “We ran yours as a precaution. You’re not a match.” “What?” Her voice cracked. “That’s impossible. I’m her mother!” “And sometimes, that’s not enough,” he said gently. “A sibling might be better, or…..the father.” Luna’s heart dropped. “There is no father,” she whispered, but it felt like a lie the second she said it. Dr. Patel looked at her closely. “Luna. If he’s out there, and you can find him, do it. It could save her life.” Luna stared at the white walls. The floor felt like it shifted beneath her feet. Her baby, her entire world, needed help and there was only one person who could give it. She didn’t want to see him again. Not after what he did. Not after the way he humiliated her. But this wasn’t about pride anymore. Luna clutched Emery’s small hand as the sun set behind the hospital window. Her heart ached with every second that passed. Tomorrow, she would go back to New York. Back to the man who once called her a liar and she would tell him the truth.