Sofia bolts the second Jessica tags her.
She screams like she's being chased by a monster, laughing so hard she can barely breathe.
Jessica follows at a careful pace—not fast, not panicked—just enough to count as playing.
Jae watches them, relaxed but alert, like nothing in this park escapes him.
I'm smiling when my phone buzzes.
Jason.
I step a few feet away from the bench.
"Hey," I say.
"Laura… you need to come to the hospital." His voice is tight. Too tight.
"What? Why? What happened?"
"It's grandma," he says. "She's not feeling well. They're running tests."
"I'm coming," I say immediately.
"I figured," he exhales. "Just… don't rush alone, okay? You sound—"
"I'm with Jae," I say, already turning back toward the bench.
A pause. Then, softer, almost relieved, "Okay. I'll see you soon."
The call ends.
I stand frozen for half a second, heart hammering, hands cold.
I don't even have to say his name.
Jae is already on his feet.
"What happened?" he asks, calm but commanding.
"Grandma, she's not well," I whisper, voice shaking. "They're at St. Mary's."
"Okay," he says instantly. No hesitation. No questions that don't matter. "Let's go."
He turns to the girls.
"Jess," he calls, firm.
Jessica stops immediately.
"Sofia," I add. "We have to go. Grandma's not feeling well."
"Is she okay?" She asks.
"I don't much know yet," I say.
Her face crumples for half a second before she schools it. "Okay."
The drive is fast but controlled. No sharp turns. No reckless speed. Jae drives like he's holding everything together by sheer force of will.
His hand grips the steering wheel. The other rests on the console.
The first red light hits.
I don't realize my leg is shaking until his fingers close around my hand.
Firm. Steady.
I inhale sharply, but he doesn't look at me. He just gives my hand a single squeeze, like he's anchoring me to the present, to the seat, to him.
I lace my fingers through his without thinking.
The light turns green. He drives on, our hands still linked.
Another squeeze when my breathing stutters.
Jessica sits beside Sofia in the back, quiet and still.
He glances at her once, just enough to check she's breathing normally, then returns his eyes to the road.
The hospital rises ahead of us, all white lights and glass and dread.
Jae parks and kills the engine. "If you need me," he says, voice low, "I'm here."
I nod. It's all I can manage.
Sofia and I climb out, hearts hammering.
Jason is already pacing near the waiting area. Relief hits him the second he sees us.
"Laura," he calls.
"She's awake," he continues. "They're monitoring her. Blood pressure dropped. They don't know why yet."
I nod, trying to breathe.
I glance at Sofia. She squeezes my hand.
Jason guides us down the hallway toward Grandma's room.
Every step feels heavy. Every door, every beep, every muffled voice presses down.
Grandma lies in the hospital bed, pale but awake. Her eyes flutter when she sees us, and a weak smile touches her lips.
Jason grips my shoulder. "She's awake," he murmurs.
A doctor steps forward, clipboard in hand. Calm, professional, but kind. "Hello. I'm Dr. Cole" he says. "We ran tests. What happened was a mild heart attack."
My stomach tightens. Heart attack. The words feel heavy, dangerous—but then he continues.
"She's stable now. We'll monitor her closely, but there's no immediate danger. With rest and follow-up care, she'll recover."
Relief floods through me, hot and overwhelming. I feel my shoulders loosen for the first time in hours.
Jason exhales sharply. "Thank God."
Grandma's weak smile turns into a small, tired laugh. "Guess I scared you all, huh?"
I take her hand. "You did."
Sofia exhales shakily. "I hate hospitals."
"Me too." Grandma admits.
Dr. Cole glances at us again and says before leaving. "She'll need observation for at least twenty-four hours, medications to help her heart, and a strict rest plan. But right now… she's going to be okay."
Grandma sighs, already done with the conversation. "You should go home now."
Jason blinks. "What?"
"You heard me," she says gently. "I'm fine. Go home. Eat a good meal. Rest."
Sofia looks relieved and guilty at the same time.
Jason hesitates. "Gran—"
"I'm not arguing," Grandma says. Then she looks at me. "That includes you too, Laura."
My grip tightens around her hand. "No."
Everyone turns to me.
"I'm staying," I say. My voice doesn't shake. "You don't get to scare me like that and then send me away."
Her mouth curves into a soft smile. "Stubborn," she murmurs.
"Learned from you."
Grandma studies my face for a long moment, then exhales. "Alright. But the rest of you—out."
Jason nods slowly. "Okay. I'll take Sofia home."
Sofia hugs Grandma carefully, then me.
Jason whispers in my ear. "Text me if anything changes."
I nod.
When they leave, the room grows quiet. The machines hum low and steady.
Grandma settles back against the pillows, eyes closing. "You always did hate being told what to do."
I smile, brushing my thumb over her hand.
Once she's asleep, I slip into the hallway and pull out my phone.
Me: She's stable. Mild heart attack. Staying overnight.
Me: Jason's taking Sofia home.
Me: I'm staying.
The reply comes fast.
Jae: I'll take Jess home. Then I'll come back.
I hesitate.
Me: You don't have to.
There's a pause.
Jae: I know.
Then:
Jae: I'm coming anyway.
And just like that, the hospital feels a little less scary.