Minnie POV
After some time, they shifted my mom from the ICU to a normal room. Seeing her lying there, breathing softly, gave me a small piece of relief.
I turned to aunty and said, "Thank you so much for staying with me. It's already late... you should go home. I'll be okay now. I can take care of my mom."
Before I could say anything more, aunty placed a dress in my hands.
"Will buy this for you," she said gently. "Go and change. And you must eat something."
"I'm not hungry," I whispered.
She didn't listen. She opened the food box and brought the spoon close to my mouth.
"Just a little, dear."
I took the food and started eating slowly. My throat hurt with every bite.
Uncle came near me and said, "You are very strong, Minnie. Call me when your mom wakes up."
I nodded and tried to thank Will, but before I could speak, he stopped me with just one look-like he already knew what I was about to say.
"As I told you," he said quietly, "I'm not leaving you tonight."
Aunty added softly, "Yes, Minnie. Will stay here. You shouldn't be alone now."
I wanted to argue, but my voice didn't come out.
After aunty and uncle left, the hospital room felt strangely silent.
I went to the bathroom and changed the dress that was still stained with my mother's blood. My hands shook as I folded it.
When I came back, I looked at my mom sleeping on the bed and felt my chest tighten again.
I sat beside her, holding her hand.In that quiet room, with the machines beeping softly,
I sat beside my mom's bed, holding her hand tightly. The room was quiet except for the sound of the machines. My eyes burned, but I didn't want to cry again.
Will stood near the window for a moment, then slowly came and sat beside me.
"You should rest a little," he said gently.
I shook my head. "I can't... what if she wakes up and I'm not here?"
"She won't disappear in one minute, Minnie," he said softly.
I looked at him. "You don't understand... she is my whole life."
He was silent for a second, then said, "I know. That's why I'm here."
My throat tightened. "You don't have to stay... you already did so much."
He looked straight at me "stop saying that. I want to stay"
I tried to smile but fai led. "You're stubborn."
He gave a small smile. "Only for you tonight."
I looked back at my mom. "I'm scared, WilI... what if she doesn't wake up?"
He moved closer and spoke quietly, "Then we'll face it together. But until then, don't imagine the worst."
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "You promised you wouldn't leave."
"I won't," he said firmly. "Not tonight. Not when you need someone."
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. I leaned back against the chair, exhausted.
He placed his jacket gently over my shoulders. "You're shaking."
I whispered, "Thank you."
Will POV
She slowly rested her head on my shoulder, trying to sleep. Her breathing was uneven, like she was afraid even her dreams might leave her.
I stayed still, afraid that if I moved, she would wake up.
I looked down at her face-so tired, so fragile-and something inside me tightened.
Why did she have to matter this much?
I told myself it was nothing. This was just a fake relationship. Just a responsibility for one night.
But my heart didn't listen.
All I could think about was how she had cried in my arms earlier... how her hands had held onto me like I was the only thing keeping her standing.
I felt something for her. I knew it and that scared me.
Memories of my past rushed back-my ex, the betrayal, the day I decided never to trust love again.
Don't fall again, I warned myself.
Not after what happened.
I looked at Minnie sleeping on my shoulder.
She deserves someone who believes in love. Not someone broken like me.
"This is just pretend," I whispered inside my mind. "Just until everything is over."
Mia POV
When we reached home, my heart was still heavy with everything I had seen at the hospital.
Will didn't come with us. He stayed back with Minnie.
I sat on the sofa in silence
Parker came and sat next to me. "You're thinking about Minnie, aren't you?"
"Yes," I said softly. "And about Will."
He nodded. "He loves her. It's clear now."
I sighed deeply. "I never thought I would see this day. After everything he went through... he finally opened his heart again."
Parker gave a small smile. "He stayed with her tonight. That's not something he would do for just anyone."
"That girl needs him right now," I said. "And he needs her too. Did you see how broken she was? And how did he hold her like he was afraid to lose her?"
Parker looked thoughtful. "They look like two wounded hearts trying to protect each other."
I folded my hands together.
"I pray that this love gives them strength, not more pain."
He placed his hand over mine.
"Maybe God sent Minnie into Will's life to heal him... and sent Will into her life so she won't be alone anymore."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"Whatever happens... I hope they stay together. That girl has already become part of our family."
Minnie POV
In the middle of the night, I had a nightmare. I was lying in my mother's lap while she gently touched my hair and spoke about my future. Suddenly, everything around me turned dark. Her voice faded, and she looked at me with sad eyes.
"Goodbye, my child," she said.
"No... Mom... please don't leave me," I cried, trying to hold her hand.
I saw a door in front of me and ran toward it. When I opened it, a bright light flashed into my eyes and someone called my name again and again.
"Minnie... Minnie, wake up."
I suddenly came back to reality.
It was Will.
I was breathing fast, unable to speak. My chest felt tight, and my hands were shaking. He held my shoulders gently.
"Hey... it's okay. You're safe. Breathe with me," he said softly.
I tried to calm myself, taking deep breaths just like he told me.
He gave me a glass of water.
"Drink this."
took it with trembling hands and drank slowly.
Tears filled my eyes again. "I saw her leaving me... in my dream... I thought I lost my mom." My voice broke.
Without saying anything, Will pulled me into his arms. I held onto him tightly, crying against his chest.
"I can't lose her," I whispered.
"You're not alone anymore," he said quietly. "I'm here. Nothing will happen to you."
My sobs slowly became quiet breaths. The fear inside me began to fade.
leaned back against the bed, exhausted. My eyes slowly closed again.
Before I fell asleep, I heard his voice one last time:
"Sleep, Minnie. I'm right here"
In the morning, I slowly woke up and saw Will sitting beside me, asleep. I was on the sofa, and when I turned my head, my eyes went to my mother. She was still sleeping peacefully, but worry filled my heart again.
I moved closer to Will and sat beside him. I looked at his tired face and thought about everything he had done for me since last night.
Was he doing all this just as a good friend... or had something inside him changed too?
Before I could find an answer, he opened his eyes.
Our eyes met.
For a second, the whole world felt silent.
I didn't even realize how close I had moved to him. My breath stopped when I noticed the distance between us-just a few inches. I could feel his warm breath on my face. My heart started beating so fast it hurt.
He looked into my eyes... then slowly his gaze fell to my lips.
My hands trembled. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak.
He leaned closer, tilting his face slightly to the right, as if the moment itself was pulling him toward me.
I closed my eyes tightly, my heart shouting inside my chest.
I opened my eyes suddenly when my phone started ringing. The moment shattered between us. I quickly stood up and grabbed my phone, my heart still racing and I stepped back quickly, my heart filled with a strange disappointment for being interrupted.
When I looked at the screen, I froze for a second... then smiled.
_________________________________________
Author Note
Hello readers 👋 I hope you are doing well if you like this chapter please don't forget to vote and support It means a lot 🥰❤️