The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 76

"Oh, Ms. Taylor is Dr. Foster's wife? This... we had no idea."

Professor Harrison spoke with genuine admiration. "You are a lucky man, Dr. Foster! To have married someone so beautiful, brave, and kind."

Sloane leaned against the pillows, feeling her cheeks burn furiously.

"Professor Harrison, please, you're being too polite. It was simply the right thing to do!"

After a few more pleasantries, the Harrison family finally took their leave. Josh lingered at the back. As he walked past Garrison, his steps faltered for a fraction of a second. The two men locked eyes, neither saying a word, before Josh strode out the door.

The hospital room finally fell silent.

Archie clung to Sloane's embrace and refused to let go. His little hands gripped her hospital gown tightly, burying his face in her chest. "Mom, I missed you," he mumbled into her shirt. "I haven't seen you in so long."

Sloane looked down at her son's soft hair, and a corner of her heart melted. She lifted her hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally rested it gently on his back, giving him two soft pats.

Garrison stood off to the side, watching the scene. It felt like a heavy weight was crushing his chest.

He walked over, stood by the bed, and spoke softly.

"Archie, didn't you say... you wanted Mom to spend more time with you?"

Archie peeked up from Sloane's chest, his eyes red. He looked at his dad, then at his mom. As if suddenly realizing something, he turned his little face to look earnestly at Sloane. In a soft but incredibly serious voice, he asked.

"Mom, can you... move back home?"

Sloane froze completely.

Archie kept talking, tugging at the hem of her shirt. "You live so far away now, I never get to see you... I want you to build Legos with me, I want you to pick me up from school, I want you to read me bedtime stories... Even if you're not good at telling them, I still want to listen. Mom... can you spend more time with me from now on?"

Sloane stared into her son's clear, hopeful eyes. A massive lump formed in her throat, rendering her completely speechless.

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