Page 35 of Forbidden Obsessions

“What’s wrong?” I ask, trying to keep the self-loathing out of my voice.

“Honey, I think you should come to the team meeting today. Mom’s oncology team has some important information.” Silence drags. I realize he’s waiting on me.

“Yeah, of course. What time? Where?” My entire body tingles with dread. Mom may not be dead yet, but it’s coming. I can feel it.

“One p.m. Oncology department at Cambridge General. Thanks, honey. Love you,” he says, ending the call.

“I need to get ready and go,” I rasp, wiping another round of tears on the back of my hand.

Mia looks up at me briefly. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Meeting with Mom’s oncology team. It can’t be good news if they want me there.”

“Shit,” Mia mumbles, sitting up, “Go get dressed. I’ll drive you.”

“Thanks for being such a good friend, Mia.”

“You, too, Liv. Go. Get dressed. Hold your head up high and wear something that makes you feel good. Everything will be alright,” she tells me, trying to be optimistic. It won’t, and we both know it, but I appreciate the sentiment.

Twenty minutes later, we’re in Mia’s car. So much for her sage advice. I wore sweatpants, an old t-shirt, and a hoodie Tomas let me borrow.

I take a shuddering breath as downtown comes into focus. The hospital is still about six blocks away, a looming reminder of what’s ahead of me.

“You just need to continue straight. I can see the hospital from here,” I tell Mia, confused as she turns. Her mouth sets into a line.

“No,” I protest as she pulls up next to Tomas’ car.

“It’s time. You need him. He needs you. You need him. Go,” she tells me as I get out. I steel my nerves, get out, waving as she pulls away.

With a shuddering breath, I turn the key and come face-to-face with Tomas. “I’m sorry I didn’t call,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around him. He tenses under my touch.

“You’re mad,” I rasp. I should have expected it. He shakes his head.

“No, but I’m trying to do the right thing here. I don’t want to beat around the bush, Liv. You deserve better than what I can give you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything,” he says, raking a hand through his beard.

I retreat, blinking. “Oh. I see. I have to go to my mom’s oncology appointment. We’ll talk later.” I grab my keys from the hook and leave hastily. I can’t deal with my floundering relationship with Tomas and my dying mother at the same time. I sit in traffic far too long, then find a parking spot in the garage. Every fiber of my being is apathetic by the time I walk through the oncology wing to find Mom and Dad.

“You’ve been hospitalized and nobody told me?” I exclaim.

“We weren’t sure it was the best idea after the situation with Nathan. You must be traumatized,” Dad says, wrapping his arm around me.

I shrug it off. “What’s really traumatizing is when your parents shelter you from an urgent health situation, like your mom withering away from the cancer you didn’t know she has.” They both wince.

“I’m sorry, honey. From now on, we will tell you everything as it happens, okay?” Mom says.

“Okay. When did you get a feeding tube?” I ask, stricken.

“A couple days ago. I can’t keep food down. The team is getting concerned.” Mom has always been thin, but looking at her now, she’s alarmingly thin and frail.

“Is that what they want to talk about today?” I ask, daring to be hopeful.

“No,” they say in unison, looking at one another. A tall blond guy walks in wearing scrubs, giving mom a beaming smile.

“How are we feeling today, Maura?” he asks in a gentle yet demanding voice.

“Meh. My daughter’s here, though. Olivia, this is my oncologist, Dr. Roberts.”

“Nice to meet you,” I croak, shaking his hand.

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