Page 44 of Fearless Sinner

“I couldn’t break Aunt Rosaline’s heart with such news. She was so in love with Harlan that I don’t even know if she would have believed me. Nevertheless I should have told her. But she was so happy with him, I didn’t want to be the one to take that away from her. She was devastated when your father died.”

I nod, agreeing. “She was. I never thought she’d get married again. She shut down for years.”

“Harlan seemed to bring the spark back to her life, but he wasn’t who he claimed to be. I hoped she’d see him for what he was and end it, but this is what happened instead. We all got screwed.”

“Let’s just pray I get the loan.”

“I haven’t stopped praying.”

“Me neither.”

She sighs and dries the rest of her tears. “How about we eat some ice cream and watch an old movie before we head to bed?”

“That sounds great.”

She fixes us a bowl of ice cream each and we head to the living room to watch Casablanca.

As we sit there watching the movie and eating, all I think about is Cillian. I keep seeing his face, keep hearing his words, keep feeling his lips on mine.

I thought I blinked, but I fell asleep. I wake to Roxanne shaking me.

Her face breaks into a radiant smile. “Your mom’s awake, Chloe. She’s awake.”

At first I think I’m dreaming but as my awareness returns, I’m thrilled for once that I’m not.

My mother is awake.

She’ll be able to see me now.

When Roxanne and I get to the hospital Mom has a host of doctors and nurses around her. Seeing so many medical professionals with her is scary. But on seeing Dr. Chase smiling at me, I realize there’s nothing to worry about. They’re just checking her.

The moment there’s a clear spot at Mom’s bedside I rush over.

She’s still lying on her back and is still attached to tubes, but when she sees me and her eyes light up with life, nothing can describe how I feel.

“Chloe,” Mom mutters my name weakly. Her voice is so faint it sounds like it’s gliding on the edge of the wind.

“It’s me, Mom.”

A tear runs down her cheek and she lifts her hand toward me. “My Chloe. You came back to me.”

Just those simple words heal my heart and I feel terrible that I thought my mother could ever hate me.

Her eyes hold so much sentiment that I’m crying, too, and squeezing her hand.

Roxanne joins me and Mom smiles. “Roxy. You’re here, too.”

“Yes, Auntie, we’re both here.”

“This is a good step in the right direction,” Dr. Chase cuts into the moment. “I understand the excitement and relief but please, please take it easy.”

“Don’t worry, we will.” Roxanne nods.

I’m nodding, too, but I’m so overwhelmed by the elation of seeing my mother awake that I can just about focus.

“Let’s keep the visits to twenty minutes at a time with a break for about two hours. Patients who come out of comas get overwhelmed quickly.”

“Okay. We promise we will do anything you say,” I reply. “Thank you so much for bringing my mother back to us.”

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