CHAPTER 122: DON’T SCARE ME AGAIN

The door swung open, and for second I couldn’t think well from how fast my heart was beating.

The first thing I saw was mom.

I froze in the doorway. My brain was braced for the worst, but the scene in front of me didn’t match. She wasn’t in the surgical recovery room anymore. This was her main room. Her room.

"What... why? What happened?" My voice cracked as I looked at Marcus, desperate.

He turned, and he actually smiled. A real one. His eyes were wet, but he was smiling.

"She moved, Ash."

I blinked at him, like the words didn’t process right away. "She... what?"

"She moved her fingers," he widened his eyes, and now he was grinning. "The nurse saw it. The doctor came. He said she’s responding. Her body’s healing."

I swear, for a moment the whole room tilted. I had to grab the edge of the chair beside me because my knees almost gave out.

I pressed a hand over my mouth, staring at her at Mom like if I blinked, she’d slip away again.

"She really..." My voice broke. "She really moved?"

Marcus nodded fast. "Yeah. Not just once. She’s... she’s coming back, Ash."

All the tension I’d been holding, the fear, the nights praying and cursing and not knowing if I’d ever hear her voice again, it all rushed out in one messy, ugly laugh.

I stumbled forward, dragging the chair right to her bedside and collapsing into it. My hands were shaking as I reached for hers.

Her skin was still warm. And suddenly I was crying, no matter how hard I tried not to. Silent, ugly tears slipping down my cheeks as I pressed her hand between both of mine.

"Hey, Mom," I whispered, even though I knew she probably couldn’t hear me. My voice cracked so bad. "It’s me. I’m here."

Her hand didn’t move again, but just the thought that she had that she could was enough. More than enough.

Marcus hovered near the foot of the bed, crossed his arms tight like he was trying not to break too, but I could see it in his eyes.

I leaned down, resting my forehead gently against the back of her hand.

"Don’t scare me like that again," I whispered. "Please. I still need you. We still need you."

A voice called out.

"Mr Rivera?"

I looked up, startled. A nurse in light blue scrubs was standing by the doorway. Her voice was calm.

"The doctor would like to see you in his office."

My stomach dropped. For a second I couldn’t move, I just nodded. My eyes flicked to Marcus, then back to Mom, before I finally forced myself to stand.

The nurse guided me down the corridor, stopping outside a door with a small plaque. It was Doctor Sean’s office. She gave me a polite nod.

"The doctor would like to speak with you now."

I stepped inside.

The doctor looked up from a chart and adjusted his glasses before setting the file down.

"Mr. Rivera, thank you for waiting. I wanted to update you on your mother’s condition."

I sat, my heart didn’t stop racing. "Is she okay?"

"Yes," he said with a small nod. "She’s showing improvement. Earlier today, she demonstrated motor response by moving her fingers. That tells us her nervous system is beginning to recover. It’s a positive sign that her body is healing."

My chest loosened all at once, and I felt a shaky laugh escape me. "So she’s... she’s actually getting better?"

The doctor nodded. "That’s correct. We do expect her to regain consciousness. I cannot give you a precise timeline...it may take days, or even longer, but the progress so far is encouraging."

I nodded hard, my throat burning but in a good way this time. "Thank you. God, thank you."

He folded his hands on the desk. "When she does wake, she will require medication to manage pain, prevent possible infections, strengthen her immune response and support her recovery. I’ll have a prescription list ready when the time comes. We’ll provide you with a treatment plan. In addition, she’ll need physical therapy once she’s stable enough, to help her regain strength."

"I’ll do whatever it takes," I said quickly. "Anything she needs."

The doctor gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Then his tone shifted slightly.

"There is still an outstanding balance on her bills. I understand this can be difficult, but please keep in mind it needs to be settled so her treatment continues without interruption. I understand these situations can be difficult, but it’s important."

The relief in my chest tangled instantly with panic. "I know. I haven’t forgotten. I’ll... I’ll figure it out."

God, I can’t even afford her getting better.

"Good." He made a quick note in the file, then looked back up. "Do you have any other questions?"

I hesitated, then forced the words out. "When will she... when will she be discharged?"

That depends on her recovery once she regains consciousness," he answered clearly. "We’ll need to keep her under observation for several weeks at least. Discharge is possible after that, but rehabilitation will continue for months....either here or with outpatient services at home. We’ll discuss options with you when the time comes."

It was a lot. But it was also hope.

I nodded slowly, gripping my knees tighter. "Okay. I’ll do whatever I have to. Just... please keep her safe until then."

The doctor gave a small, reassuring nod. "We will. And she’s stronger than you think. Hold onto that. And take care of yourself as well."

I pushed Mom’s room door open again, still relieved from what the doctor had said.

Marcus was in the corner, leaning against the window, shaking his shoulders as he laughed at something on his phone. His hoodie hood had slipped halfway off, as his messy curls were sticking up.

"Bro," I said, exhaling. "You good?"

He grinned without looking up. "Some dumb TikTok video. Chill, I wasn’t laughing at your emotional breakdown or anything."

I shook my head, but a smile tugged at me anyway. "Fine. You already saw me cry."

Marcus locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket. "Anyway, I should head out. Dad just called me. He wants me home." He jerked his chin toward the door. "Alia’s knocked out in the pediatric section, so don’t stress about her, okay? She’s fine."

That eased something in me instantly.

"Thanks," I murmured.

"Yeah." He gave me a quick shoulder bump as he walked past. "You stay with Mom. Text if anything happens."

"I will. Thanks again. I owe you."

"Yes, pizza’s on you after what Alia put me through today."

We both laughed as I followed him out into the hall. We walked side by side until we reached the sliding glass doors at the front entrance.

Marcus lifted a hand in a wave. "Later, bro."

"Later," I waved, forcing a small grin.

He jogged toward the bus stop, disappearing into the shadows, and I lingered just outside, pulling my phone out of my pocket. My fingers were trembling as I typed fast:

Mom’s improving. She moved her fingers. Doc says she’ll wake up soon. Don’t tell anyone yet, please.

I hit send to June, staring at the little delivered checkmark until my eyes blurred.

For a second, it felt like I could breathe again.

I shoved the phone back into my pocket and turned toward the hospital doors. They slid open.

And that’s when I froze.

Because leaning against the wall by the entrance, like he’d been there the whole damn time, was Dominic.