I let out a breath that feels like it’s been sitting in my lungs for hours.
Effa steps toward me, her hand sliding up my chest, grounding me. “Trust me,” she says quietly. “She’s fine. I canfeelit.”
And I believe her.
Effa doesn’t say shit lightly. When she feels something, it’s usually right. She has this strange, steady intuition about people, about situations, like she can read the temperature of the room before anyone else even realizes it’s changed.
“Thanks for being here,” I murmur. “For making this happen. If you hadn’t stepped in—”
She presses her palm to my chest. “Stop. I did. We did. And Kiera’s going to live a long, ridiculously happy life.” Her gaze flicks toward Raoul. “With Raoul.”
I groan. “You justhadto add that.”
She grins, and then the sound of wheels rolling over linoleum cuts through the room.
Every conversation dies instantly.
Kiera’s bed is pushed through the doorway, and my chest tightens so hard I have to fight to breathe.
She looks small.
Too small.
But she lifts her head, forcing a smirk. “Don’t all stop talking on my account. Surely someone has gossip. I’ve been gone for what? An hour? I need updates.” Her voice is hoarse, strained, and exhausted.
I move before I even think, grabbing her hand.
Oh God… her skin feels too cool, too fragile.
“How do you feel?” I ask, brushing my thumb over her knuckles.
“Tired, but fine. They pumped in your super blood…” She shrugs weakly. “Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom… I’m cured.”
A laugh escapes me despite everything. “Easy as that?”
“Seems suspiciously simple for something that costs this much. I’m expecting lobster and champagne in aftercare.”
Gran chuckles, Effa smiles, and even Raoul huffs a breath.
I don’t know how she does it, how she makes this lighter.
Gran leans over her. “I’ll be here for all of it, sweetheart. Every step.”
I glance at Effa.
The tour.
The timing.
The decision I’ve been avoiding.
“I’ll be here too,” I say firmly. “I’m not going anywhere… however long this takes.” The second the words leave my mouth, the room shifts.
Effa stills beside me.
Luke goes quiet.
Raoul looks up.
