Page 78 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“It doesn’t matter now, anyway,” Hayden replied with a hint of resignation.

“Why would you say that?” Emily asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

“You’re going to get divorced, right?”

Emily sighed deeply, gathering her thoughts. “I’ll be honest with you. It’s a possibility,” she admitted, her voice wavering. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still be a part of your lives.” Her eyes glistenedwith unspoken emotion as she tentatively reached for Hunter’s hand, but he pulled it away.

When they arrived at the hospital, Emily parked the car before they all headed inside. After obtaining their visitor passes, they took the elevator to the ICU floor. Knowing the visitor limit was just two at a time, Emily turned to them and said, “You boys, go ahead. I’ll wait here.”

She turned left into the waiting room while the boys veered right towards their father’s room, their steps echoing faintly in the sterile hallway.

Hunter and Hayden approached their father’s hospital room, hesitating at the doorway as a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties consumed them. For a brief, heavy moment, they stood silently, absorbing the sight of their father lying in the hospital bed, fragile yet alive.

Hunter’s eyes widened as he realized his father was awake. The weight of the moment struck him, and without a second thought, he rushed forward, throwing his arms around his father. “Dad!” he cried out with overwhelming emotion.

Gabriel hugged his son tightly, his watery eyes locked on Hayden, still standing in the doorway. He silently urged Hayden to come closer. Hayden hesitated momentarily before stepping forward and joining in the embrace; the three of them united in a moment filled with unspoken love and relief.

When they broke away, Hayden said, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Gabriel nodded, his eyes reflecting a deep sadness that spoke volumes without a single word. He mumbled something unintelligible, his voice weak and strained. Noticing his father’s struggle, Hunter quickly reached into the bag he was holding and pulled out a whiteboard and marker, eager to help.

Hunter opened the packages and held up the whiteboard and marker. “We brought you these so you could write,” he explained gently.

Gabriel took the items from Hunter with a trembling hand and slowly wrote, “I’m sorry,” on the whiteboard.

Hunter’s heart ached as he read the words. “It’s okay, Dad,” he reassured softly, trying to hold back his emotions.

Gabriel hesitated for a moment, then wrote, “So ashamed.”

Hunter reached out, placing his hand gently on his father’s shoulder. “Dad, I’m going to give you the same advice you always gave Hayden and me when we messed up,” he began softly. “You reminded us that while you’re mad and disappointed, we could use it as a learning experience to do better next time. And then you always said there was nothing we could do to make you love us any less. We will always love you, no matter what,” he whispered, his voice filled with compassion.

Gabriel embraced his son tightly, pulling him into a warm hug as tears streamed down his face.

Gabriel’s doctor passed by the waiting room window; Emily quickly jumped up from her seat and darted out of the room. “Dr. Morgan!” she called out.

Dr. Morgan turned around and recognized her, a warm smile on his face. “Yes, Mrs. Anderson, right?”

“Yes,” Emily replied, taking a step closer to him. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.”

Emily’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I wanted to apologize about earlier,” she said, her voice filled with remorse. “I wasn’t at my best, and I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“No need to apologize; it is an emotional time. There is no right way to react to suicide.”

“Thank you. How is he doing?”

“Good, his vitals are coming down and starting to stabilize. We’re working with him on some breathing exercises to wean him off the ventilator; then, he will be transferred to a crisis stabilization unit.”

Emily exhaled a sigh of relief, “That’s good, right?”

“Yes, it is,” Dr. Morgan confirmed, his expression more serious. “But I must warn you, he has a long road to recovery ahead. After he’s discharged from the crisis center, he’ll need to go to a residential treatment center. There, he’ll receive continuous supervision and intensive therapy. It’s also highly recommended that the whole family participate in therapy to help navigate and cope with these situations.”

Emily nodded thoughtfully, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Good,” the doctor replied, then turned and walked away.

Emily walked to Gabriel’s room and paused in the doorway, her heart swelling as she saw him hugging the boys. Gabriel glanced up, noticed her standing there, and gestured for her to come over. She quickly joined the embrace.

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