My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 517

Nadia

"I've paid the hospital bill," Grandfather said. "I've spoken to the funeral home. Your father will be taken care of."

Mama let out a small sigh, slumping back into her pillow. "Thank you, Papa. I'm so sorry to be such a bother."

"No bother at all, sweetie," Grandfather replied, patting her hand. "You have enough on your plate. What's important is getting you both home and settled."

The glass was cool against my forehead. Outside, the sky shimmered, a dull gray that rimmed the bare trees.

Grandfather turned to me. "Did you eat something, Nadia? It's been a long day."

I nodded without looking at him.

"Good. You should let me carry your bag."

I shook my head, a slight movement. Mama glanced at me, her brow pinched.

Then he turned back to Mama. "There's a room ready for you at the house, sweetheart. And one for Nadia too."

"Oh, Papa," Mama said, her voice cracking. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

"Don't you worry about that," Grandfather said. "You're family. That's what family does. Now, are you almost ready to go?"

The nurse came in, clipboard in hand. "Okay, Mrs. Voss, time to check you out."

Grandfather wheeled Mama into the hospital lobby and across to the glass doors, the metallic scent of disinfectant fading into the richness of evening air. As we stepped outside, the last rays of sunlight gleamed off the windows of Grandfather's car idling by the curb. Toby's face appeared at the passenger window, a flame of golden hair, a wave of a small hand.

Mama smiled and waved back, weariness sagging her cheeks. "Hello, sweetie." She turned to me, a frown twitching her eyebrows into a V. "Nadia, honey, are you coming?"

I stood still, Mama's voice slipping across me without taking hold. It was easier not to think. The icy numbness had seeped into my bones, a protective shell I couldn't crack.

"Nadia?" Mama said again, her voice thinning with concern. "You should come with us. There's a room ready for you at Grandfather's house. You shouldn't be alone right now."

I met Grandfather's eyes over the roof of the car. "What changed?" I asked quietly. "You never wanted to help before."

He looked thrown, a little confused. "We need each other now, Nadia. That's all. I'm here for you, for your mother and Toby."

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