Amelia paced the small living room, her phone clenched tightly in one hand and a damp cloth in the other. Debby lay on the couch, her tiny frame trembling beneath a pile of blankets. Her flushed cheeks and sweat-soaked hair made Amelia’s chest ache.
“Mom, is she gonna be okay?” Damien’s small voice trembled from the doorway, his wide eyes darting between his sister and his mother.
Amelia forced a reassuring smile, though her insides twisted with worry. “She’ll be fine, sweetie. She just needs some medicine and rest. But I’m taking her to the hospital to be safe.”
Damien nodded slowly, his lip quivering as he whispered, “Can I come too?”
“No, honey,” Amelia said gently. “I need you to stay here and be brave for me. Sammie’s on her way to look after you.”
When Debby whimpered weakly, Amelia’s heart clenched. She crouched to scoop her daughter into her arms, feeling the unnatural heat radiating from her tiny body. As she reached for her bag, her gaze fell on her phone.
Amelia hesitated, her thumb hovering over a number she hadn’t dialed in years. This was about Debby, not her pride. She took a steadying breath and pressed the button.
The line rang once, twice, and then Ryan’s voice, groggy but instantly alert, answered. “Amelia?”
“Debby’s really sick,” she said, her voice taut with urgency. “I’m taking her to the hospital. She might need you.”
“I’ll meet you there,” Ryan said without hesitation.
***
The sterile hum of the hospital filled Amelia’s ears as nurses swarmed around Debby in the ER. IVs were inserted, vitals taken, and soothing reassurances offered. Amelia sat by Debby’s bed, clutching her hand tightly.
“She’s dehydrated,” the doctor explained. “Likely due to a viral infection. We’re starting fluids and monitoring her overnight.”
Amelia nodded numbly, her world narrowing to the sight of her daughter’s labored breathing.
When Ryan arrived, his eyes darted to Debby, then to Amelia. “How is she?” he asked, his voice low.
“They’re keeping her stable,” Amelia said, her exhaustion evident. “But she’s scared. I—” Her words faltered as the weight of the moment pressed down on her.
Ryan crouched beside her, his gaze steady. “She’s strong. Just like her mom.”
Amelia’s eyes flicked toward him, unspoken gratitude mingling with the lingering pain of his betrayal.
“She needs both of us right now,” she whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability.
Ryan nodded, his throat tightening as he watched Amelia gently stroke Debby’s curls. Her resilience was as fierce as ever, but he could see the weariness etched into her face. This wasn’t the woman he had left behind—this was someone stronger, more determined, and it made him ache with guilt.
When Amelia finally drifted into an exhausted sleep in the chair, Ryan stayed by Debby’s side, his hand resting protectively on hers. Memories of their family before Brenda flickered in his mind, each one like a ghost haunting him.
He vowed silently, I won’t lose her again.