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“I promise,” I said finally, even as my mind rebelled against the idea. His well-being was all that mattered; my feelings toward Brenda could wait.
“Thank you, Mila. Now, how are things with Cassius?” Dad had always been perceptive, and even in his weakened state, he could read me like an open book.
“Dad, it’s… it’s complicated with Cassius,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “He’s not just the man behind the project anymore. He’s helping the community center now—actually helping.”
Dad’s brow furrowed, the lines on his forehead deepening. “Mila, you’ve always seen the best in people. Even when they’ve given you every reason not to.”
I sighed, a lock of hair falling over my eye. “But Dad, how can I trust him? How can I know his intentions are pure?”
He squeezed my hand, his grip stronger than I expected. “Mila, life’s too short for what-ifs. If there’s good in Cassius, maybe it’s worth exploring.”
His words sank deep into my chest, settling somewhere between hope and fear.
“But what if I get hurt? What if he’s just using me?” My voice trembled as I laid bare my fears.
Dad gave me a gentle smile. “Then you’ll handle it like you always do—with grace and strength. But don’t close your heart to what could be good because you’re afraid.”
“Thanks,” I whispered as I kissed his forehead. “For everything.”
***
The creak of the front door shattered the evening calm. Brenda’s shrill voice cut through the house as she returned from her trip.
“Where’s dinner?” she demanded, barely acknowledging my presence.
I sighed and glanced at the clock. “I have to go to work,” I muttered, escaping her cold gaze and grabbing my coat. Work was my sanctuary, a place where I could drown out the noise of Brenda’s discontent and focus on something other than the mess at home.
The hotel’s hum of activity welcomed me as I clocked in, ready to lose myself in the familiar rhythm of my cleaning routine. My thoughts kept drifting back to Dad’s gentle encouragement, urging me to give Cass a chance despite everything.
Halfway through my shift, my phone buzzed in my pocket. A glance at the caller ID showed Brenda’s name flashing on the screen—a call I couldn’t ignore. Heart pounding, I answered.
“Mila!” Brenda’s voice was frantic, a sharp edge of panic slicing through the line. “Your father… he’s got a fever. It shot up all of a sudden. I don’t know what to do!”
Ice coursed through my veins, replacing the blood that had warmed at thoughts of Cass. “What do you mean? Did you call an ambulance?”
“Yes, yes, they’re taking him now! To St. Mary’s Hospital!”
My hands shook as I ended the call, dread settling like lead in my stomach. The bright lights of the hotel blurred into streaks as I raced to inform my supervisor.
“I have to go,” I blurted out, breathless and near tears. “It’s my dad—he’s…”
The supervisor nodded with understanding concern, and I didn’t wait for permission before sprinting out of there, leaving behind a trail of worried glances and half-finished tasks.
Every second was an eternity as I dashed through the streets toward St. Mary’s Hospital, fear fueling each step. The world seemed to slow down around me, yet simultaneously speed up as if rushing me toward an unknown fate.
“Dad,” I whispered into the chilling night air, “please hold on.”
Chapter Twenty
Mila
My limbs felt like lead, my mind clouded with worry as I scrubbed the same spot on the hotel bathroom floor for what must have been the tenth time. My father’s face, drawn and pale, haunted my every thought. The hospital had called again; the bills were piling up, a mountain of debt I couldn’t hope to climb. I squeezed the mop tighter, the rough handle digging into my palms.
“Working late again, Mila?” The voice belonged to Helen, another maid whose shift was just starting.
I straightened up, offering a weary smile. “Yeah, got to cover some extra shifts.”
She clicked her tongue sympathetically. “How’s your dad doing?”
