جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 16

The rest of the morning passed surprisingly quietly.After speaking with Mom, I felt lighter.Not completely though as there were still bills, still responsibilities, and still worries.But at least the rent had been paid. That alone felt like a miracle.Max spent most of the morning following me around the mansion like a furry shadow.Every time I stopped moving, he stopped moving and every time I sat down, he sat beside me.I was beginning to suspect that he thought I might disappear if he left me alone for too long.The thought alone made me smile.Around ten o’clock, movement near the staircase caught my attention.I looked up and immediately regretted it. Jason was coming downstairs.My traitorous heart skipped a beat. Not because I liked him, Godforbid I like him.Absolutely not.It was simply impossible not to notice him. His dark hair was still slightly damp, fresh from a shower. His black shirt fit perfectly, and whatever cologne he was wearing should honestly be illegal.Th

I woke up to silence.Not the uncomfortable kind, but the peaceful kind. The kind that seemed to exist only inside the Wilberg mansion.For a few moments, I simply lay in bed staring at the ceiling.Max was still asleep on the rug. His paws twitched occasionally as if he was dreaming about chasing something.I smiled, then my thoughts betrayed me and wandered towards Jason.Immediately, I groaned and buried my face in a pillow.This was Hilda’s fault, it was entirely Hilda’s fault.Ever since our conversation the previous night, my brain had become determined to analyze every interaction I’d ever had with Jason which was completely ridiculous because Jason Wilberg did not like me.He barely tolerated me and yet…I found myself replaying moments of him.The shopping bags, the dining room, the way he’d stopped Pamela from throwing that spoon, and the way he’d carried Pamela upstairs instead of letting the situation escalate.Then Hilda’s voice echoed inside my head. “He likes you.”I rol

The journey to the hospital felt like the longest drive of my life.I sat in the backseat of the taxi, my leg bouncing uncontrollably as I stared out the window. Every red light felt like an insult. Every traffic jam made my heart pound harder against my chest.“Please hurry,” I whispered for what felt like the tenth time.The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “I’m trying, miss.”I immediately felt guilty. “I’m sorry.”He nodded understandingly before returning his attention to the road.I gripped my phone tightly. Hilda had texted me only a few minutes earlier.“YOUR MOM IS AWAKE. DONT PANIC WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU.”I reread the message countless times.She was awake. That single word kept me together.After what felt like forever, the taxi finally pulled into the hospital compound.Before it had even stopped completely, I pushed the door open.“Miss!” the driver called.I quickly paid him, muttered a hurried thank you, and practically ran toward the entrance.Hospi