The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

ASTRA

I practically ran into the hospital after my shift, still in my Gridiron uniform, heart lighter than it had been in days. The win yesterday, the tips I made tonight, Jason’s sweet, visit, everything felt like it was finally balancing out. I just wanted to see Mom for a few minutes before heading home.

She was awake when I entered her room.

The bedside lamp was on, casting a soft glow. She was sitting up, staring at the wall with that distant look she sometimes got.

“Mom!” I smiled brightly, closing the door quietly behind me. “Good evening. Did you miss me too much?”

I expected her usual tired but warm smile. The one that said there’s my girl.

Instead, she turned her head slowly toward me.

Her eyes, once so sharp and full of love were clouded with confusion. She stared at me like I was a stranger who had wandered into the wrong room.

…Who are you?” she asked, voice small and uncertain. “Are you the new nurse?”

My stomach dropped.

“Mom… it’s me. Astra.” I stepped closer, forcing my smile to stay in place even as my throat tightened. “Your daughter. I came to see you after work.”

She frowned, brows pulling together. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. “I don’t… I don’t have a daughter named Astra. My daughter is… she’s little. She has pigtails. Where is she?”

The words hit like a punch to the chest.

“Mom, it’s me,” I repeated, voice cracking as I sat on the edge of the bed. I reached for her hand, but she pulled it back slightly, eyes widening in wary confusion. “I’m all grown up now. Remember? I bring you spring rolls and we talk about books…”

She shook her head, growing more agitated, “No… no, you’re lying. My Astra is small. She’s only eight. Who are you? Why are you in my room? Nurse! Nurse!”

Her voice rose, shaky and frightened. She pressed herself back against the pillows, looking at me

like I was a threat.

Tears burned my eyes instantly.

“Mom, please… it’s me,” I whispered, voice breaking. “It’s Astra. I love you. I’m right here.”

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Chapter 27-

Anurse hurried in, alerted by the commotion. She gave me a sympathetic look and gently tried to calm Mom.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Hawthorne. This is your daughter, remember? Astra. She visits you all the time.”

But Mom just kept shaking her head, tears now filling her own eyes from fear and frustration.

“I don’t know her… I don’t know her…”

I stood up slowly, chest aching so badly I could barely breathe. I backed toward the door, tears slipping down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’ll… I’ll come back tomorrow. I love you, Mom”

She didn’t respond, She just watched me with that heartbreaking confusion, like I was a stranger who had hurt her.

I slipped out of the room before the sobs could escape.

The hallway blurred as I walked out of the hospital on shaky legs. I made it to my scooter and gripped the handlebars tight, but I couldn’t move. The tears came harder now, silent, ugly sobs that shook my shoulders.

Everything good from today suddenly felt so far away.

“Astra?”

Dr. Ray’s voice cut through the quiet night. He must have been leaving his shift. He rushed over, white coat flapping, concern etched deep on his face.

“Hey, hey… what happened?” He gently turned me toward him, eyes scanning my tear–streaked face. Without hesitation, he pulled me into a warm, fatherly hug, one hand stroking my hair soothingly like he used to when I was younger and everything felt too heavy.

“It’s okay,” he murmured against my hair. “Breathe, sweetheart. Just breathe.”

J

I broke completely in his arms, sobbing into his shoulder as the weight of the last few minutes crashed over me.

“She didn’t know me…” I choked out. “She looked at me like I was a stranger. She kept saying her daughter is little… that I’m lying…”

Dr. Ray held me tighter, rubbing slow circles on my back. “I know. The progression has been faster lately. Some days are clearer than others. Today… today wasn’t a good one. But she still loves you, Astra. Even when her mind forgets, her heart remembers.”

I cried harder, fingers clutching his coat. He stayed with me until the worst of it passed, whispering gentle reassurances until my sobs quieted into shaky breaths.

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Chapter 27.

58 voucher

A few minutes later, I pulled away, wiping my face with the back of my hand. My eyes were swollen, my voice hoarse.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I’m sorry for falling apart on you again.”

“You never have to apologize for that,” he said softly, squeezing my shoulder. “Go home, Astra. Get some rest. You’ve been carrying the world on your shoulders for too long. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

I nodded, unable to speak anymore. I climbed onto my scooter and rode home feeling completely numb, the wind cold against my wet cheeks.

Memories kept flashing, happier ones.

Me and Mom in our tiny apartment yard, chasing each other with water guns, laughing until our stomachs hurt. Her braiding my hair while we watched old cartoons. Her promising me we’d always have each other, no matter what.

Those days felt like they belonged to someone else now.

I parked my scooter in the garage and dragged myself inside the mansion, feet heavy. I went straight upstairs, not wanting to see anyone.

The moment I stepped into my room, the dam broke again. I stood in the middle of the large, beautiful space, so different from our old cramped apartment and felt my chest cave in.

I would give anything to have those simple days back.

A soft voice came from behind me.

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