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“You both need to eat something,” she says hesitantly. “It’ll probably be a long day.”
I nod in agreement and take a bite of the pancakes she made. It doesn’t escape my notice that she’s made a combination of foods that I love. I’m surprised she still remembers my likes and dislikes. Even my coffee is made the way I usually have it. I only manage a few bites, too worried to be able to eat.
“You need to eat, Milly,” Kate murmurs, and I frown at her.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, confused. “Why are you here at all?”
She looks down at her plate, seemingly gathering herself, before she looks back up at me. “I just wanted to be there for both of you. I just thought it might help if I made myself useful somehow. I forgot just how much staff Carter has.”
I bite down on my lip as I take her in. She looks older and insecure in a way she never used to. Her eyes are kinder than they’ve ever been before, and she seems contrite.
“Emilia, I never had a chance to say this, but I’m so genuinely sorry for everything I’ve put you through. For every bit of blame, every toxic word, every bond I’ve broken. Nothing I can say will adequately convey my regret, so I wanted to show you. I’m not doing very well at that, I guess.”
I look away. “No, you’re not.”
I rise from my seat and walk away. I’m not in the mood to reminisce. I purposely left her and that part of my life behind. I have enough on my mind without being burdened by her guilt.
I walk onto the veranda, the cold air biting against my skin. Carter follows me out and wraps his arms around me from behind. I lean into him, and he presses a kiss to my cheek.
“I called the director of the hospital. We’ll be allowed to go see your dad before visiting hours.”
I turn around, my eyes wide. “Really?”
Carter nods and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. I hug him tightly, and he caresses my hair as he holds me.
“I’ll go grab my coat,” I murmur, and Carter nods.
Thirty minutes later we’re walking into the hospital, both of us scared and anxious. Carter holds my hand in his, and I clutch onto him tightly.
The director of the hospital, Dr. Davis, meets us at the ICU unit and takes us through the hygiene measures we’ll need to take to access my dad’s room. “He’s stable,” he says. “We’re still keeping him in an induced coma, but he’ll wake later today.”
I nod at him, and he hesitates. “I have some news to share with you too, Emilia,” he says, a small smile on his face. “We found a donor for your father. All tests have cleared. It’s a match.”
I freeze, my hand rising to my heart. “A donor?” I whisper, in disbelief. “But is transplantation even possible in Dad’s current condition?”
“It’s an anonymous living donor, so we don’t need to rush into the operation,” he says, and I frown.
“What does that even mean? That’s not possible, is it?” As far as I’m aware living donors are always family members or friends, and they’re never anonymous.
Dr. Davis hesitates and then shakes his head. “It’s rare, but it’s possible. I’ll discuss the procedure with the cardiologist in charge of your father’s current condition, as well as the other doctors that will be operating, including the transplant surgeon and the transplant nephrologist. We’ll discuss the risks, and if your father is cleared by the team, we’ll go ahead with the procedure.”
I nod, my heart racing. Dr. Davis waves us off as we walk into Dad’s room, and I bite down on my lip in an effort to keep it together. He’s hooked up to so many machines, and it all looks horrifying. It makes me feel like I lost him, even though he’s still here. I barely recognize him.
I sit down by his bed, tears in my eyes. “Hi, Daddy,” I murmur, hoping he can somehow hear me. “They found a donor. You’re going to be fine. You’re going to get all better. I can’t wait to speak to you again later today. I’ve missed you, Dad, so please wake up soon.”
Carter drops his hand to my shoulder and I look up at him. He looks as distraught as I do. I lean into him as I tell Dad about Carter almost making him a cup of tea in the morning, not realizing he wasn’t there.
Carter and I sit there with him for hours, awaiting the moment he opens his eyes again. The relief I feel when he finally does is surreal.
“Dad,” I whisper.
He blinks, and the medical staff performs countless tests on him, but his eyes are on me, his expression calm and collected.
We’re going to be just fine. I’m sure of it.
Chapter 61
Carter
