Chapter 321

Evelyn’s eyes were red, tears threatening to spill as she clutched the critical condition form, her hands shaking like leaves in a storm. It was déjà vu, a haunting reminder of that day two years ago when she’d signed a similar form for Charlie, only to lose him shortly after.
She couldn’t do it again. The pen felt like a lead weight in her hand until Charles stepped in, taking over with a steady hand. “Keep at it, Andrew,” he instructed, nodding towards the emergency room where Andrew was working tirelessly to save Josephine.
“Eve, she’s going to be okay,” Charles reassured her, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. It was a voice she had once leaned on, and even now, it provided a flicker of hope she desperately needed.
With a deep breath, Evelyn took the pen and scribbled her name, feeling hollowed out as the nurse left with the form. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Brooks’s concerned voice called out, “Evelyn.”
Turning swiftly, Evelyn’s tears spilled over. As Brooks reached her, she latched onto his arm, her fear laid bare. “Brooks, I’m terrified,” she admitted, her voice quivering.
“Hey, it’s going to be fine. Your mom promised she’d always be there, remember? She won’t break that promise,” Brooks assured her, his grip on her hand firm and comforting.
Charles, standing to the side, watched their hands intertwined. His own hands clenched involuntarily, the scene cutting deep. It took everything in him not to reach out and pull Evelyn back to him.
The waiting felt endless, each second dragging painfully. Evelyn’s complexion turned ghostly pale, but Brooks kept holding her hand, while Charles remained a silent sentinel beside her.
Finally, the emergency room doors swung open, and Andrew emerged. Evelyn, too scared to speak, leaned on Brooks as Charles took charge. “Andrew, how is she?”
“She’s stable now. Just woke up, and they’ll bring her out soon,” Andrew replied.
Relief crashed over Evelyn like a
wave, and she dissolved into tears, Brooks holding her as she sobbed into his shoulder. With Josephine out of danger, Charles’s restraint was tested to its limit. He was just about to reach for Evelyn when Josephine was wheeled out.
Evelyn quickly pulled away from Brooks, wiping her tears hastily. She didn’t want her mom to see her like this. Rushing forward, Brooks right behind her, she took Josephine’s hand.
“Mom,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
“I’m okay, sweetheart. Don’t worry,” Josephine replied, her voice weak but reassuring.
“Okay,” Evelyn managed, following the gurney back to the room.
As they passed Charles, Josephine caught sight of him and paused, a flicker of recognition in her weary eyes.