SEVENTY THREE: AM I TRULY PREPARED?

[SHAIRA's POV]

"Sit down. You're making me hella dizzy," he said, pulling me down to sit next to him. My head was spinning with worry. It was only blood, he said, trying to reassure me. But how could I not be paranoid? I had already lost my second child, and now I anxiously awaited the results of my son's condition.

"I think you should tell your husband what happened to your son," he suggested. Tell him? No, I couldn't do that. I didn't want to appear like a pitiful, helpless wife. I had run away, determined to face whatever came my way on my own.

"We're getting divorced soon," I finally confessed the words catching in my throat. I expected Joseph to react with surprise or sympathy, but he simply nodded as if he understood.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude," he stammered, realizing his mistake.

"No, it's fine," I replied, forcing a smile, then added, "I guess I'll just have to get used to it."