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CHAPTER TWENTY–TWO
LIANA’S POV
Killian first of all picked Ryan from school. The moment Ryan saw my face, he frowned deeply.
“Mummy?” he asked, holding his backpack straps tightly. “Why are you crying?”
I turned my face away quickly, wiping the tears with the back of my hand, pretending it was nothing.
“Why am I leaving school so early?” Ryan asked again while getting into the car. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, baby,” I whispered, buckling him into his seat. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But what’s going on then?” he kept asking. “Where are we going? Mummy? Why won’t you tell me?”
I bit down on my lower lip, trying not to cry again.
Killian started the car and glanced at me from the driver’s seat. “Just rest, buddy,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. ”
We’re going on a little trip.”
Ryan frowned, confused. “But why is Mummy crying if we’re going on a trip?”
I couldn’t answer. My throat was tight. My hands gripped the edge of my seat while I stared blankly out the window. Every second that passed was making my chest heavier.
Killian drove for over four hours. We barely spoke. Ryan kept asking questions, but they slowly faded into silence when no answers came. He stared out his window too, quiet, thoughtful in that way only little kids could be.
Halfway through, Killian pulled into a rest stop.
“We need to stretch and eat something,” he said gently.
“I’m not hungry,” I murinured.
“Ryan is. And you should try to eat. Please.”
We got out of the car. Killian bought sandwiches and juice. Ryan nibbled on his, even though he didn’t seem to want it much.
I didn’t touch mine. I just sat on the bench, watching Ryan’s little feet swing beneath the seat.
Afterward, Killian got back behind the wheel. As we continued driving, he reached out and turned the heater up a little. I hadn’t even realized I was shivering.
“We’re stopping again,” he said about an hour later, pulling in front of a boutique.
“Why?” I asked softly.
Killian turned to look at me. “You need to change”
I looked down at myself I was still wearing his oversized shirt and my crumpled skirt. My hair was messy, my face probably stained with dried tears. I felt gross. But still, I didn’t want to get out of the car
I don’t care how I look,” I muttered.
“But I do,” he said quietly “Please Just come with me”
Killian helped Ryan out of the car and held his little hand while walking into the boutique. He turned to one of the shop
attendants
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“Please, could you help us find something for her to wear?”
The woman nodded with a smile.
While she guided me toward the racks, Killian picked something simple and soft, a pale blue blouse with long sleeves and
dark jeans that looked stretchy and comfortable. He brought over a few more things too: A clean bra, a pack of underwear,
and a brush.
“I’ll wait out here,” he said, handing everything to the saleswoman.
I walked into the dressing room slowly. My hands were trembling while I peeled off the old clothes. I stared at myself in the
mirror, my face tired, my eyes puffy. I didn’t recognize myself.
Once I changed into the new clothes, I felt… not fixed, but better. A little more put together.
When I stepped out, Killian had changed too. He was wearing a gray t–shirt and jeans now. His suit was folded neatly into a shopping bag beside him. He looked casual, almost too casual for the kind of pain I felt inside.
He smiled faintly when he saw me. “You look… better.”
I nodded.
He reached out and gently brushed some hair away from my cheek. “You ready?”
I gave a small nod.
He also picked out a little green hoodie for Ryan, something with cartoon cars on it, and helped him change in the car while I sat in silence, watching the road ahead.
Once Ryan was settled, he leaned against the window and closed his eyes. Killian started the engine again.
I sat in the front seat, my arms crossed tight, like I was holding myself together.
Killian glanced at me once. “If you need anything…”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly
We continued the drive and by the time Killian pulled up in front of the hospital, my heart was already beating so fast it was as if it might burst.
He threw the keys to the valet and rushed to open the door for me.
“Come on,” he said softly, carrying Ryan in his arms.
I didn’t think twice. I ran
He led me through the hospital halls, down the long corridor that smelled of disinfectant and silence. My steps were quick, my heart pounding But when we reached the ward, I stopped.
I couldn’t move
Through the small glass window on the door, I saw her. My stepmother. She was sitting by the bed, holding Dad’s hand while crying quietly Her lips were moving, as if she was praying or speaking softly to him.
My breath caught My legs locked beneath me
Killian stepped behind me, placed one hand gently on my waist, and slowly pushed the door open
The soft creak of the door made her look up.
First, she saw Killian
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Then Ryan.
And then… me.
Her eyes widened.
“Liana?” she whispered.
Tears spilled instantly. She stood, her hand trembling, then rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. “My baby… oh God, my baby girl…”
I broke.
I melted into her hug, sobbing like a child while her hands held me tightly. It was as if the years melted away,
moment nothing else existed but her arms around me.
“I’m sorry, Mother… I’m so sorry…” I cried into her shoulder.
She held me tighter. “You came… You came back… I missed you so much…”
We cried together. Her tears soaked my shoulder, while mine soaked hers.
as
if for that
Then she pulled back a little and held my face between both palms. “He’s been waiting for you, Liana. Even in his sleep, he keeps mumbling your name. He wanted to see you.”
I nodded slowly, my lips trembling violently as I tried to stay strong.
I turned toward the bed. My legs were trembling as I saw him.
My father.
He looked pale. So different from the strong man I remembered. His chest rose slowly with the help of machines. There were tubes attached to his nose, an oxygen mask covering part of his face. It was too much. Too real.
I reached for his hand.
“Daddy…” I whispered.
My tears dropped freely as I gripped his hand tightly between mine.
‘Daddy, it’s me. It’s Liana… I’m here. I’m here now… Please don’t go. Please..
The room was quiet, except for the soft beeping of machines. I was holding his hand tightly, trying to make him feel me. Trying to let him know I was here.
Then I felt a small hand rest gently on my back.
“Mommy… don’t cry.” Ryan whispered softly from behind me.
I turned and pulled him into a hug. “This is your grandpa, baby.”
“Really?” Ryan looked up at the man in the bed, his voice filled with quiet curiosity.
That was when I noticed my stepmother’s eyes shift to him.
She was looking closely now, her eyes flickering over his face
Her brows pulled together, as if something was slowly clicking into place in her mind.
Her mouth parted slightly, as though the thought just hit her.
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Then her eyes widened.
And she gasped.
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Jend
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