I looked at him. "Our future."
Kayden studied me seriously, that burning gaze making me wantto hide. But he traced every feature of my face with his eyes, like it was the last time.
"I'll wait for you." He said. "However long it takes. Don't worry about Kai. I'll come every week for guidance until he's completely stable. That's not negotiable."
Then he looked at me one more time, glanced at Kai from afar, and turned to leave.
"Kayden."
He stopped. This time didn't turn around.
"Thank you for saving me tonight," I said. "And... thank you for telling me."
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Goodnight, Layla."
Silence returned to the room. Just me and sleeping Kai.
I went back to the bedside, looking at his peaceful face. Just moments ago, he'd been curled in agony, now sleeping so soundly.
Because his father came. His father helped him.
I sat in the bedside chair, holding Kai's small hand.
What do I do?
Keep pushing Kayden away? Let Kai keep growing up without a father?
Or... give him a chance? Give us a chance?
My thoughts were hopelessly tangled.
I was too tired to think anymore. I laid my head on the bed, closed my eyes.
Tomorrow. I'll figure it out tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
I don't know how long I slept. A cold draft jolted me awake.
I jerked my head up. My neck screamed in pain—sleeping bent over had wrenched something, like someone had twisted it full circle.
The room temperature had dropped.
So cold.
I rubbed my neck, shivering, and glanced at the window—
Wait. When did that open? I distinctly remembered it being closed.
The curtains billowed in the night breeze like ghostly shadows dancing. I stood to close it, then noticed something on the bedside table.
A piece of paper that definitely wasn't there before.
I picked it up. White memo paper, ordinary, like what you'd find anywhere in a hospital.
But there was writing on it.
