Out of Ashes Into His Heart novel Chapter 5

I rushed to Greg's office, panic gripping me. Inside, Elizabeth lay on a couch surrounded by several doctors and nurses.

My legs felt weak, and I nearly stumbled.

Behind me, Tom caught my arm, his calm voice steadying me. "Don't worry. With the doctors here, your mom will be fine."

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. But when I saw Elizabeth being wheeled into the emergency room, I couldn't hold it together. Leaning against the wall, I slid to the floor, my mind in turmoil.

Elizabeth was already in the late stages of liver cancer, her body frail and weak. And now, Gavin's scandal had caused her to collapse.

What if something happened to her?

I shook the thought away and immediately dialed Gavin's number.

He had to explain everything to Elizabeth himself, to clear this misunderstanding.

The phone rang for over ten seconds, but no one answered.

Just as despair began to set in, the call finally connected.

"Hello, honey, you—"

Before I could finish, Mandy's voice came through.

"Grace, Gavin's gone out to get medicine for me. He left his phone here. Is there something urgent? I can relay the message to him."

My throat tightened, and no words came out.

Through tear-filled eyes, I saw the phone being taken from my hand. Startled, I looked up to meet Tom's deep, steady gaze. The dam broke, and tears streamed down my face.

"Don't cry." Tom's brow furrowed slightly. His hand reached toward me, but he hesitated, clenched it into a fist, and withdrew.

I turned away, wiping my tears with trembling hands.

"No matter how upset you are, don't harm yourself. Get up—it's cold on the floor," Tom said, lifting me to my feet and guiding me to a nearby bench.

"Thank you," I murmured sincerely.

The hour-long wait felt like an eternity.

When the red light above the emergency room finally dimmed, I shot to my feet and rushed to the door as Dr. Hill stepped out.

He glanced briefly at Tom before turning to me. "Don't worry, Ms. Summers. Your mom is stable now, but her body is still very weak and needs rest."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes, but keep it short."

"Thank you, Dr. Hill."

I hurried toward the patient room but stopped halfway, suddenly remembering Tom. When I turned back, I saw him leaning casually against the wall, speaking with Dr. Hill.

Whatever Dr. Hill said made Tom frown slightly, his dark eyes sharp and commanding, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority. Dr. Hill gave a sheepish smile, raising his hands in mock surrender. The two seemed to know each other well.

Realizing they had matters to discuss, I turned back and headed to the patient room.

Inside, Elizabeth was still asleep from the exhaustion of the operation. Her gaunt hand rested in mine as I sat by her side. Looking at her tired but peaceful face, my tightly wound nerves finally relaxed, and I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.

Covering my mouth, I sobbed quietly, pouring out all the frustration and sorrow I had been holding in.

I didn't know how long I cried. When I finally wiped my tears and took a deep breath, I reminded myself that tears wouldn't solve anything.

I needed answers.

I had to confront Gavin about what had happened today.

If he couldn't give me a satisfactory explanation, then divorce might be the only option.

The thought made my chest tighten with sorrow.

12 years.

I had loved him for 12 long years.

How many sets of 12 years does a person get in their lifetime?

Perhaps I had been wrong from the start. Knowing he had someone else in his heart, why had I believed I could eventually warm it?

Now that Mandy was divorced, the only obstacle between them was me.

To Gavin, Mandy would always be special.