Chapter 3
I don't remember getting into Mom's car.
I remember holding Arthur's letter.
I remember my graduation gown tangled around my legs.
And I remember asking the same question over and over.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Mom kept both hands on the steering wheel.
"We don't know yet, Maya."
I stared through the windshield.
Traffic moved slowly.
Every red light felt unbearable.
I called the hospital twice.
Both times, the receptionist explained that information could only be shared through the appropriate channels.
I understood.
But understanding didn't make waiting easier.
When we finally reached Memorial Regional Hospital, I ran through the emergency department doors.
My graduation cap was still on my head.
People turned as I approached the desk.
"Arthur Williams."
The receptionist looked up.
"Are you family?"
"He's my dad."
The words came out immediately.
No hesitation.
No explanation.
Just the truth.
"Please. I need to know where he is."
Mom reached my side.
"I'm his wife."
The receptionist contacted the clinical team.
Then a nurse came to speak with us.
Arthur had been involved in a minor collision after another driver changed lanes unexpectedly.
His car struck a barrier.
He was conscious when emergency responders arrived.
But he complained of chest discomfort and dizziness.
The hospital was evaluating him.
I grabbed Mom's hand.
"Can we see him?"
The nurse nodded.
"He's being monitored. A doctor will update you shortly."
I felt relief.
Then fear returned.
Chest discomfort.
Dizziness.
What if something was seriously wrong?
Mom sat beside me in the waiting area.
I stared at the letter.
The ink had blurred where my tears fell.
"Mom?"
She looked at me.
"Yes?"
"Has Dad been sick?"
Her expression changed.
I noticed immediately.
"Mom."
She looked down.
"He hasn't been feeling well lately."
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?"
She swallowed.
"He's been exhausted."
I remembered.
The way Arthur fell asleep on the sofa before dinner.
The way he sometimes rubbed his chest after climbing stairs.
The way he said he was getting older whenever I asked why he looked tired.
"Has he seen a doctor?"
Mom nodded.
"He had an appointment last month."
"What did they say?"
"He needs more tests."
My heart sank.
"What kind?"
She hesitated.
"Heart-related tests."
I stared at her.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Arthur didn't want you worrying during exams."
I closed my eyes.
He had been protecting me again.
Even while his own health needed attention.
I felt anger at myself.
All those evenings when he came home tired.
All those mornings when he left early.
I barely noticed.
I was too busy worrying about Raymond.
Too busy hoping my biological father would finally become the man I imagined.
Meanwhile, Arthur was working through exhaustion to pay for my future.
I began crying.
Mom wrapped her arm around me.
"Baby, don't do this to yourself."
I shook my head.
"I was horrible to him."
She sighed.
"You said something cruel."
I nodded.
"But you can take responsibility without destroying yourself."
I looked at her.
"What if he doesn't forgive me?"
Mom's eyes filled.
"I don't know what he'll feel right away."
That frightened me.
She continued.
"But I know he loves you."
I stared at the floor.
"I hope he still does."
A doctor entered the waiting area.
"Family of Arthur Williams?"
We stood immediately.
The doctor introduced himself.
He explained that Arthur's initial evaluation showed no major traumatic injuries.
The team was also investigating his chest symptoms.
He would remain under observation while they completed additional tests.
I almost collapsed with relief.
"He's alive?"
The doctor nodded.
"Yes."
Mom began crying.
I grabbed her hand.
"Can we see him?"
"Briefly."
We followed a nurse down the hallway.
When I entered Arthur's room, my heart broke all over again.
He lay on a hospital bed wearing a pale blue gown.
There was a small bandage near his eyebrow.
His face looked tired.
But his eyes were open.
He turned when he heard us.
"Nia."
Mom hurried toward him.
"Oh, Arthur."
She kissed his forehead.
He smiled weakly.
"I'm okay."
Then he saw me.
His expression changed.
"Maya."
I stopped near the door.
Suddenly, I couldn't move.
I had imagined running into his arms.
Begging forgiveness.
Telling him everything.
But now that he was in front of me, shame held me still.
He looked at my graduation gown.
Then smiled faintly.
"You still look beautiful, sweetheart."
I broke down.
"Dad."
His eyes filled.
I hurried toward him.
But I stopped before touching him.
"I'm so sorry."
My voice cracked.
"I'm sorry for what I said."
Arthur looked away.
That hurt more than I expected.
I swallowed.
"I didn't mean it."
He remained silent.
Then he whispered, "You sounded like you meant it."
I felt my chest tighten.
"I was angry."
He nodded slowly.
"I know."
I shook my head.
"Raymond promised he'd come."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"And when he didn't, I took it out on you."
Tears streamed down my face.
"That wasn't fair."
He looked at me.
"No, it wasn't."
I had never heard him speak so plainly about being hurt.
I almost wished he'd reassure me immediately.
But I knew I didn't deserve an easy escape.
I reached for his hand.
He let me hold it.
"I opened your letter."
His eyes widened slightly.
I continued.
"I saw the college payment."
He sighed.
"Maya—"
"And the money from your shop."
He looked toward Mom.
She nodded.
Arthur closed his eyes.
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
I began crying harder.
"You gave up your dream for me."
He squeezed my hand weakly.
"I made a choice."
I shook my head.
"You shouldn't have had to."
He looked at me.
"Parents make choices for their children."
I leaned closer.
"But you matter too."
His eyes filled.
I continued.
"Your dreams matter."
He swallowed.
"Sweetheart."
I shook my head.
"I don't want to go to college knowing you sacrificed everything."
Arthur looked worried.
"Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because your future shouldn't become another punishment."
I stared at him.
He continued.
"I didn't help you so you'd feel indebted to me."
His voice trembled.
"I helped because I believe in you."
I covered my mouth.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Arthur whispered, "But I need you to understand something."
I nodded.
"Anything."
He looked directly at me.
"Being your father has never depended on you being grateful every second."
My eyes filled.
"But it does hurt when you use the word real to tell me I don't belong."
I began crying.
"I know."
He looked down.
"I never asked you to stop loving Raymond."
I squeezed his hand.
"I know."
"I only wanted you to know there was room in your life for me."
I leaned forward and hugged him gently.
"There isn't just room for you."
My voice broke.
"You're my dad."
Arthur began crying.
He wrapped one arm around me.
For a moment, we held each other.
Then he whispered, "I love you, Maya."
I sobbed.
"I love you too."
But our relief didn't last.
A nurse entered and checked his monitor.
Arthur suddenly pressed his hand against his chest.
His face tightened.
Mom stood.
"Arthur?"
He tried to answer.
Then winced.
The nurse immediately called for assistance.
I stepped backward.
My heart began racing.
"Dad?"
Another nurse entered.
Then the doctor.
They asked us to move into the hallway while they assessed him.
I stood frozen.
Mom pulled me toward the door.
Arthur looked at me one final time.
His eyes were frightened.
Then the medical team moved around him.
The door closed.
I stared at it.
My hands were shaking.
"Mom."
She held me.
I began crying.
"I just got him back."
She squeezed me tighter.
"I know."
I looked toward the hospital room.
And for the first time, I understood that an apology wasn't the end of making things right.
It was only the beginning.
May you like
I had to show Arthur that I meant what I said.
But first, I needed him to survive long enough to see it.
