The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Chapter 129

ASTRA

“We have to get her mother back into a hospital.”

Elira’s voice cut through the room, steady and fierce. “We are not leaving that woman without proper care.”

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Hope slammed into my chest so hard it stole my breath. For one fragile second, I let myself believe it could be that simple.

Mr. Ashton stayed seated, unmoving.

“No.”

The single word landed like a stone in still water and my stomach plummeted.

Elira turned to him slowly. “No?”

He met her gaze without flinching, his tone calm but final. “Returning her to that hospital isn’t an option.”

“Why not?” Elira pressed, arms folding across her chest.

“The board and executive team have deep ties to the Whitmore Foundation.” He paused, letting the weight settle. “Keegan doesn’t own it, but his influence is enough that anything we force tonight would be undone by morning.”

Silence thickened the air.

Elira’s jaw tightened. Then she turned to me, her expression softening like a switch had flipped. “Then we don’t send her back there. We find another hospital.” Her voice gentled further. “No one gets to use your mother’s illness to punish you, Astra.”

The lump in my throat swelled until it hurt. No one had ever stood up for me like this, like they were angry *for* me. Like I actually mattered.

“Mrs. Ashton…” My voice cracked. “Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever…”

“Oh, sweetheart.” She crossed the room in three quick steps and pulled me into her arms before I could finish. Her embrace was warm, steady, everything I hadn’t known I was starving for.

I buried my face against her shoulder as the sob I’d been choking down finally broke free. “I’m sorry… for everything. For bringing this into your family…”

“You didn’t.” She pulled back just enough to cradle my face, thumbs brushing away tears. “They did.”

Across the room, Mr. Ashton finally spoke. “I’ll arrange another hospital.” Every head turned toward him. “It won’t happen tonight, though. A proper transfer needs an accepting physician, an available bed, and full medical records. I won’t rush it just because emotions are running high.”

My heart sank again. “So… where will she go?”

“She won’t be alone.” His gaze locked on mine, calm and certain. “I’ll arrange private medical transport from the current facility. She can stay here tonight-in the east guest suite. We’ll have a hospital bed and whatever equipment she needs delivered immediately.”

Elira nodded without hesitation. “I’ll call the staff.”

“And tomorrow morning, he continued, already reaching for his phone, “she’ll be admitted somewhere else. I know two directors personally. They don’t answer to Keegan Whitmore.”

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Chapter 129

For the first time all evening, I could actually breathe. The relief was so sharp my legs buckled.

I dropped toward my knees before I even realized it. “Mr. Ashton… Mrs. Ashton… thank you….”

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Elira caught my arms, pulling me back up with surprising strength. “No.” Her voice was firm, gentle steel. “We are not doing that in this house, darling. You don’t kneel here.”

Fresh tears spilled over. She wrapped me up again, tighter this time. “We’re bringing your mother home tonight.”

She glanced at her husband. “Landon… I’m going with Astra.”

He gave a single nod. “I expected nothing less.”

Zane hadn’t spoken the entire time. He stood rigid near the doorway, hands shoved deep in his pockets, jaw locked so tight I could see the muscle jumping. When he finally broke the silence, his voice was rough. “I’m coming.”

Landon’s response was immediate. “No.”

Zane froze. “What?”

“I need to speak with you. In my study.”

“I’m going with them.”

“No.” Landon’s tone left no room for argument. “Now, Zane.”

For a heartbeat, Zane looked ready to fight it. His fists clenched at his sides, eyes burning. But then Elira caught his gaze and gave the tiniest shake of her head. *Not now.*

Zane exhaled hard through his nose, frustration rolling off him in waves. His eyes found mine across the room, dark and intense. “I’ll come to the hospital after.”

I couldn’t hold his stare. I looked down instead.

“Go,” Landon said quietly. “I won’t ask again.”

Zane hesitated one last second, then turned sharply and disappeared down the hallway toward the study.

Elira squeezed my shoulder. “Come on, darling. Let’s go get your mother.”

The drive was quiet. City lights streaked past the window in soft blurs while I stared at nothing, eyes burning from too many tears. Every blink scraped.

Elira kept both hands on the wheel, giving me the silence I hadn’t known I needed. After several long minutes, she spoke softly.

“Astra.”

I turned my head.

“You’ve had a terrible day.” The kindness in her voice nearly undid me again.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered.

She frowned. “Why do you keep apologizing?”

“Because this is all happening because of me. If I hadn’t come into your home… if I hadn’t met Zane…”

Elira sighed, eyes still on the road. “You’re carrying far too much blame, sweetheart. My son has always made his own

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