Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT LILY'S HEART STOPPED
At 2:17 in the morning, my phone rang.
Northwestern Memorial.
I answered before the second ring.
“Hello?”
A nurse spoke quickly.
“Harley, Lily's condition has changed. We need you to come in.”
I was already reaching for my shoes.
Mateo drove me.
I don't remember the journey.
Only the rain.
The red traffic lights.
And the way he kept one hand near mine without touching it unless I reached first.
At the hospital, Dr. Bennett met us outside the cardiac intensive care unit.
Lily had developed a dangerous arrhythmia.
The team had stabilized her.
But her heart function had worsened.
She needed urgent reassessment for advanced support.
I stared at the doctor.
“Is she dying?”
Dr. Bennett's expression softened.
“She's critically ill. We're doing everything appropriate to support her.”
I sat beside Lily's bed.
She was pale.
Exhausted.
But conscious.
“Hey, bug,” I whispered.
She smiled weakly.
“You look terrible.”
I laughed through tears.
“Thanks.”
She reached for my hand.
“Harley.”
“Yeah?”
“Don't be scared.”
I shook my head.
“That's not possible.”
She smiled faintly.
“Then be scared with me.”
I began crying.
For years, I'd been trying to be strong enough for both of us.
Now Lily was asking me to simply stay.
Mateo waited outside.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't make promises.
Didn't pretend money could fix a failing heart.
At dawn, I found him sitting in the hallway.
His jacket was folded beside him.
He stood when he saw me.
“How is she?”
“Stable for now.”
He nodded.
I looked at him.
Then whispered:
“I can't lose her.”
His expression changed.
He opened his arms.
May you like
I stepped into them.
For the first time, I allowed myself to be held while I cried.
