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Suddenly, I want nothing more in the world than to take care of this woman. I reach out and stroke her cheek, cradling her quivering chin in my palm. “I know everything, remember?”
A surprised laugh huffs out of her. She fights off a watery smile.
“Benjamin is going to be fine,” I tell her. “He’s going to be perfectly fine. Just wait.”
She exhales, her warm breath gentle against my skin. Then she nods. “Okay.”
I open my arm, and Piper curls into my body easily. Like we’ve done it a million times before.
73
TIMOFEY
Piper’s head is on my shoulder and her eyes are closed when the door opens again.
We’re both on our feet before we can even process who is walking inside. And that Benjamin isn’t with them.
“What’s wrong with him?” I demand. “Where is he?”
She gives me a smile that I want to slap off of her face. It’s a useless waste of time. I don’t want platitudes; I want information.
“Benjamin is still getting some tests done,” she says. “He’s with our nurses and is in great hands.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Piper asks, echoing my question.
That’s when the nurse’s smile shifts into a grimace. Her lips turn down at the corners, and I realize how powerful this little boy is.
How loving him can and might bring me to my knees.
“Do either of your families have a history of congenital heart defects?” she asks.
“Nothing is wrong with his heart.” I snarl it as if I might be able to make it true.
“Is that what it is?” Piper asks. Her chin wobbles. “Oh my god. His heart.”
“We’re still testing things. It’s just a possibility,” the woman says. “Now, do either of you have a family history of heart issues? They can be genetic.”
Piper shifts behind me, shying away from the question. After a second, I remember why.
“We aren’t his parents.” The nurse looks alarmed before I clarify. “We aren’t hisbiologicalparents. And his mother was adopted, so we don’t have any family history on her.”
“And the father?” she asks, making a note on her clipboard.
“Unknown.”
Her frown tightens, but she gives us a quick nod. “Someone will be back soon to give you the results of the tests.”
The moment the door closes, Piper is in front of me. Her green eyes are electric. “His life is in the balance, Timofey! Fuck your secrets.”
It’s such a turn from a moment ago that I’m taken aback. “You’re hysterical.”
“I’m not hysterical; I’m terrified. And still thinking more rationally than you! If you know something, tell it. Whatever secret you’re trying to keep isn’t more important than Benjamin’s life.”
“My secrets have nothing to do with whether Benjamin lives or—” I stop myself, not wanting to even voice the possibility. “They have no bearing on this situation.”
“Of course they do! You know more than you’re telling.” Her finger jabs me in the chest twice, enunciating each word. “Tell. Them.”
I grab her wrist and twist it away, controlling her movement without hurting her. Once she’s out of my way, I drop down into one of the plastic chairs. “I have nothing to tell.”
