Page 219 of I See You

Dr. Mills hesitated. Then took it. He opened it—froze. His breath hitched at the sight of the thick stack of cash. High, crisp bills tucked neatly inside. Probably more than he made in a few months, even with that six-figure salary.

“You understand this puts me and my staff at risk—” he started, trying to hold his ground, even as his fingers gripped the envelope tighter.

“You keep your mouth shut. You keep your license. Nobody saw anything,” Hassan said coolly, voice low and final.

A long pause. Dr. Mills swallowed. Then gave a tight nod.

“The chart will reflect a car accident. Nothing more. The nurses will be informed.”

He slipped the envelope into the inside of his white coat like it belonged there. Hassan nodded once, slow and deliberate.

The room went quiet again. No one could believe what they’d just witnessed.

“She’ll wake up soon,” Dr. Mills added, already walking away. “We usually only allow three at a time, but… I can make the exception.”

Then he disappeared down the hall, leaving the family stunned, breathless, and filled with more emotions than they knew what to do with.

Dorian rushed down the hallway, heart pounding, eager to see Sevyn with her parents and Sevyn’s parents trailing closely behind. Steven paused before stepping into the room, turning back to glance at Hassan. One look—that’s all it took. And somehow, Hassan understood exactly what it meant.

Don’t you dare leave my daughter. Not now. Not when she’s carrying your child.

Harper stayed behind with Roman and Von, surrounding Hassan like a shield, sensing the storm of thoughts spinning in his head.

“She’s pregnant,” Hassan said softly, almost to himself, still trying to believe it.

“Yeah… congrats, bruh.” Roman said, slinging an arm around his shoulder.

“She is. So please, Hassan…” Harper's voice cracked with urgency. “I know you were thinking about dipping on her. Don’t.”

Hassannodded,aslow,groundingmotion.Leavinghadbeen on his mind—he’d convinced himself it was to protect her. But now, knowing she was carrying his child, he couldn’t imagine walking away. Not from Sevyn. Not from their baby. The very thought ripped him apart.

He loved her too damn much. And now, God had given him the one thing he could never turn his back on.

Family.

A faint smile crept onto his face, one of the first since Sevyn disappeared. No matter how dark things had gotten, that baby inside her had been created in love. And Hassan was going to cherish them both for the rest of his life.

“I’m not leaving her,” he said, voice firm now.

Harpernarrowedhereyes.“Areyoustayingforher—orthebaby? Don’t play with her heart, Hassan. She don’t need half-ass love.”

He chuckled, the sound low but genuine. “Both. I couldn’t leave her even if I tried. I can’t breathe without that woman.”

Theyallsmiled,reliefwashingoverthem—untilHarper’smouth moved faster than her thoughts.

“Good,’causeIreallydidn’twannaburyyouandMadeaonthe same day.”

The moment the words slipped out, her eyes widened. “Shit.” Hassan’s smile vanished. His tone dropped. “What?”

Harper cursed under her breath. “I was gonna wait until we knew Sevyn was okay, but... the hospice called me when I took Celine back to campus.” Her voice faltered. “Madea’s gone, y’all.”

Silence.

Von didn’t hesitate, pulling Harper into his arms as the tears finally broke free. Hassan stood there frozen, jaw clenched, heart shattering in slow motion. He knew this day would come—but he didn’t expect it to be today. Not like this.

He hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye.

But… she saw him. She saw the changes. The healing. The love.She died knowing her grandson wasn’t just surviving anymore—he was finally living.

---