I wish there were something I could do.
I know there’s a procedure they want to do, but beyond that, I don’t know much. They’re waiting for ‘the right time.’ Whatever that means.
I feel like I’m part of this family now, and if that’s true, then it’s high time I understood what’s really going on, because if there’s something I can do to help Kiera, I will.
No hesitation.
As we sit around the table and Kaden and Kiera continue their playful war of insults, Gran gathers the empty plates and carries them to the kitchen. I reach for a few more dishes, standing to help, but Mercs is on his feet in an instant, intercepting me.
“Stop right there. You’re meant to be resting. I’ll help Gran. You stay in here with my brat sister and plot my demise.”
I laugh as Kiera nods enthusiastically, and I surrender the plates, sitting back down while Mercs disappears into the kitchen.
Kiera watches him go and shakes her head. “You have him wrapped around your thumb. I love it. It’s so nice to see him worked up over a girl who’s actually good for him.”
I bump her shoulder. “Thanks. But trust me, I’m just as wrapped up in him.”
“Oh, yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “It’s honestly sickening. You think I’m dying from cancer?Nope. I’m dying from watching you two make goo-goo eyes at each other.” She makes gagging noises, and I laugh.
“You’re disgusting.” She grins, unashamed.
“You’ll have that too one day,” I tease. “Maybe with a burly French man?”
She smirks. “Enough about me. How are you feeling? Recovering okay?”
I narrow my eyes. “Oh, no… we arenotchanging the subject. It’s actually you I wanted to talk about, not Raoul.”
She tilts her head. “Oh?”
I glance toward the kitchen to make sure Mercs isn’t returning, then lower my voice. “I know you’re waiting for the ‘right time’ to get your procedure done, but that’s all I know. What’s holding you back?”
She stiffens immediately, her gaze dropping to her lap. The reaction surprises me. Kiera doesn’t usually flinch from anything.
I reach across and take her hand. She looks up at me, eyes glistening slightly, then glances toward the kitchen as if checking whether she’s about to be overheard.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this,” she whispers. “They didn’t want to burden you.”
“We’re family,” I say gently. “Your problem is my problem.”
She exhales slowly. “The stem cell procedure…” She lowers her voice even more. “It’s really expensive, and we can’t afford it. Kaden’s been working hard to save, but between my treatments, daily living, and everything else, it’s a struggle. He feels it, he carries it, but he won’t talk about it, even to you. He is too stubborn to ask for help.”
My stomach drops.
Money?
Of course, it’s money.
Why didn’t I see that?
All this time, I’ve been worrying it was medical complications or timing issues, when the real barrier has been financial strain. I close my eyes briefly, furious at myself for not realizing sooner. When I open them, I smile softly at her. “Jett made that worse,” I admit. “He told Mercs he was only with me because of my money.”
Her eyes widen. “Please don’t tell Kades I told you.”
“I won’t.” I pull her into a tight hug. “But you have to promise me something.”
She pulls back. “What?”
“If you need anything…anything, and you can’t afford it, you tell me. I will send the money. I don’t care if Mercs doesn’t like it. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. We’re sisters, okay?”
