Ash's POV
June's call kept replaying in my head.
Her voice was shaking.
Her words didn't make sense.
"Stay where you are. Don't move. Don't go anywhere."
Stay safe? From what?
What did she know that I didn't?
I was still staring at my phone when Alia tugged on my sleeve.
"Um… Ash?" she said quietly.
I blinked down at her.
Her eyes were soft. "When's Mom going to wake up?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile.
"Soon, baby. Very soon. The doctor said she's doing great, okay?"
I patted her head. "She's still resting."
She nodded slowly, trying to believe me.
"Okay… can you drop me off with the other kids? I wanna play."
"Of course," I said, forcing my voice to sound steady.
I took her hand and walked her to the pediatric ward.
The second she saw the other kids, she lit up.
She waved to me, laughing as she ran to join them.
And for a second, I felt like I could breathe again.
Phew.
At least she's smiling.
Kids are so quick to move on.
