Chapter 13

Crystal

Did she just say that? My mother—who didn't want to share me with my father—was now permitting me to come with him. What made her mind change in an instant?

"Seems like you're already saying goodbyes." I chuckled, my chest was pounding hard. "Well, I am telling you—no sickness can make me leave you. It's only cancer. Many people can survive it, you'll see. Just please…" I bit my bottom lip for a moment, stopping it from shivering. "…don't you dare give up. I need you."

"I'm content and happy that you are here in my terminal moment." Mama pressed her head on the pillow. A smile plastered on her face as she closed her eyes. "And I need you too, but more than needing you, my love for you is the uppermost in my heart and mind. That's why I decided to let you live with him." She blinked at my father and said, "Miguel, I've taken away your right to be a father to our daughter. I want to apologize for that. But now, she will stay with you to bring you light and joy. Please take care of our daughter for me."

My father sighed, sitting on the side of the bed and wrapping his hand around Mama's pale hand. "You have nothing to apologize for, hun. You did a great job raising Crystal. But I'm asking you not to give up yet. I'm using all my power just to bring your health back. Crystal is right—this can be survived. We'll make a complete family when you heal."

My father's promise was music to my ears. I maybe had no idea how that could be possible, but I still wanted to stick to his words for the sake of our family.

Just as Mama was about to utter a response, she choked painfully. The apparatuses, on the other hand, began to beep and created a bunch of alarming sounds, making my body cold with dread.

"W-what is happening?" I sucked in a deep breath, trying to touch my mother. However, the nurses were faster to shut me away.

"You can't stay here anymore, Mr. Wayne. The patient is in critical condition," the doctor shouted over the loud sound of the machine.

"Do everything to save her!" my father yelled at them.

I, on the other hand, felt numb all over my body. This couldn't be. How come that a healthy and cheery woman like her looked so helpless now?

The doctor stared back at me and my father. He frowned and called the nurse. "Why are they still here? Send them out at once so we can operate!"

How can I move? I couldn't even feel my weight!

My father didn't wait for us to be pushed again. He embraced me and dragged me toward the door

***

It has been three in the morning and waiting seemed forever in the hospital lounge. My feet even got tired of pacing back and forth, so Erik urged me to sit beside him on the sofa. My father—on the other hand—was always occupied in conversations, either with the nurse and doctors or over his phone.

I felt Erik tap my hand resting on my lap. I turned my head and looked up at him, giving him an asking look.

"You have been so silent since you exited the ICU. Mind telling me what's in your mind?" he queried with low brows.

I shook my head. "All I've been thinking of ever since I entered this hospital is about my mother's situation." I sighed, leaning forward, my face on my hands. "God, she is so weak and fragile, as if even a poke can cause harm to her."

He didn't respond like he always does whenever I tried to say something. I heard him just take a deep breath and rub my back.

Shortly, my father approached and I straightened to my seat, looking up at him. He looked as exhausted as the rest of us. But I could see the small forming on his face as he took the vacant space beside me.

"I've talked to the doctor. He says, your mother's condition is stable now."

"R-really?" I could feel myself beaming back at him. Goodness, that was the best news I heard so far in almost twenty-four hours of being stuck in this hospital. "She's getting well? A-are you telling the truth?"

He nodded without any hesitation and I found myself leaning on his shoulder. "Can't believe this."

"I told you she can make it. Your mom is a strong woman," he said, running his fingers through my hair. "By the way, since everything is going well now, why don't you go to the cafeteria and have something to eat? Erik will accompany you. I know you are so hungry."

My stomach groaned as if it had its own mind. I sighed in embarrassment. I hoped he and Erik didn't hear how rudely my stomach complained to me. Anyway, I was really starving right now.

I straightened myself and gazed at him. "What about you? I know you are tired as well."

"I'll eat when you come back," he said and gazed at Erik. "Both of you go now."

"Alright, Mr. Wayne," Erik responded and tapped my shoulder before he stood from the bench. "Shall we?"

I took a glimpse at the ICU door from afar before nodding. "L-let's go." Oh God, it seemed that I couldn't stay away from Mama more distant from here. If only I could bring the food here in the waiting lounge, I'd do it, only the hospital rules were so strict.

The next thing I knew, Erik and I were sitting at a table in the hospital's cafeteria—it was more of a restaurant with foods that seemed to belong to fine dining. This place was cozy and wide, but only a few were eating at this hour. Most of them were doctors and hospital staff in white uniforms.

"Here, try this. Your father has the cook prepare these dishes for you."

I turned my attention back to our table when Erik presented a large bowl of soup in front of me. Beside it was a plate of chicken nuggets based on the meaty smell. Now that I was quite relieved, I was able to feel hunger.

I didn't waste any second and attacked the food.

Erik laughed. "That's right—eat. I bet a little more fat suits you."

I paused, the spoon was still inside my mouth. "I never get fat no matter how much I eat." And I didn't do poise on the table, so I cared no damn whether Erik ate his food gracefully from across me. Though I couldn't help but take a glimpse of him as he spooned a bite of soup into his mouth without any noise. His hair was messier this time but his shirt was different from the one he had a few hours ago. He was very urbane even at three in the morning when everybody seemed to be weary due to lack of sleep.

"So…"

I blinked when Erik talked, his attention on his food. "Are you ready to live in the mansion?