e no idea how long this will take," I s

n come over," Harry replied. His voice slowly

behind the wheel and racing toward the hospital. My mind fell into ch

te son. Where did that leave me? I was simply Ava, and I didn't belong to anyone. I tried everything I could to earn their attention. I excelle

om only called when she had no other option. As for Maya... she had cut me out of her life entirely. I could still hear t

sed to feel sad or afraid? Instead, a strange emptiness filled me. How

miliar sense of being unwanted returned. My family had rejected me. My husband had rejected me. Even

old and uninviting. My breathing tur

s. He was brought here with a gunshot w

ncy room, and the doctors are getting him ready for surgery. Walk straight down this hall.

y ears, almost as fast as my racing heart. He was going to survive. He was strong,

roken. Blood covered parts of her dress, and hours of crying had left her eyes swolle

ey," I gree

surprise. I walked over a

going to be okay?" Mom strugg

ney. He was on his way back from the store when it happened. They brought hi

of me wanted to pull her into my arms and comfort her

He'll survive this," I mu

wer because she co

to his side and silently begged him to hold on. I remained in my seat because I knew I wasn't the person he wo

quietly said a few words to Stanley, then passed him

ps and the soft clatter of the coffee cups I kept bringing back broke the si

told us everything be

e operation. We tried everything we co

nley caught her before she hit the floor, and they clung to

. My father was gone. And