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“It’s going to be okay, baby” He echoed Dad’s words “I’ll be right there beside you”

Hearing that promise eased some of the constriction in en, I leaned back against the counter and closedAtcomfort

The sound of running feet hit my ears, and I lifted my tear-filled eyes to watch as Mason rushed into the kitchen He looked soat hi blazing out of wet blue-gray eyes that hadhim my hand

With a strangled sob, ainst er thanars

“Violet, are you okay?” Luca asked

“I-I’led voice “Mason needs me I-I’ll see you soon”

“Okay, babe I love you”

“I love you too” I hung up before I could start sobbing and wrapped both ar to ease his fears, but I wasn’t so sure I believed anything I said

“You don’t know that,” he choked out “Anything could happen I’ve been looking online I’ve learned about everything that could go wrong Not just with Dad, but Uncle Drake, too They could both die, Vi” His shoulders began to shake, and he buried his face in h the heart, and I had to fight back my own

But I was the oldest I had to be strong for both of us

By the tiot to the hospital, Aunt Eic There was security everywhere I barely noticed the roo to fill the many seats

As soon as I walked through the door, Luca was there to hold me But I couldn’t fall apart on him, not yet Mo roo everyone, and I didn’t want the last ti down my face

I absorbed as th as I could and then pulled back Dad was already hugging Uncle Nik and then scooped up Aunt Ehed quietly before putting her down Others caainst Luca as I watched them all interact for a few more minutes

The door opened, and a nurse in surgical scrubs stood there Dad’s gaze went around the room until it fell on me and then Mason “You two can’t coret “Only your ery”

I nodded edhiazes locked, and after a tense le nod