to her?" my mom asks.
"No. She didn't tell me about Abby."
"Why do you think she didn't trust you with this information?"
I cringe as I focus on the ceiling. I finally admit, "I didn't show her the best side of me when we met."
"Ahh. I see."
"I've made a lot of stupid decisions in my life, but this one..." I shake my head, watching Jasmine kiss Abby's head. "I'm not sure how to make up for it."
My mom squeezes her arm around my waist. "Life is short. If anyone knows that, it's us. But Jasmine does, too. You have a good heart, but sometimes, your ego gets in the way. I suggest you grovel. It typically worked well when your father would do it."
More dread washes over me. "I don't think any amount of groveling will make what I did right."
My mom releases me. "Try it. I saw how she looked at you. You might be surprised." She kisses me on the cheek and leaves.
I don't move. At some point, Jasmine glances over at the glass and sees me. When she looks away, my heart rips again. But I don't leave. I stay there all night until Cee Cee comes and tells me she needs to talk to me with Dr. Plax.
10
Jasmine
Exhaustion sets in, and I fall asleep. When I wake up, the sun is shining into the room. Cee Cee sits next to the bed with coffee.
"What time is it?" I whisper, not wanting to wake Abby up.
"Seven. Abby's been fever-free for the last three hours."
I exhale in relief. She's not out of the woods. We've been down this road before where it dips then comes back with a vengeance. But all I can do is hope it doesn't spike again.
Cee Cee hands me the coffee, and I take a sip.
"A lot has happened while you've been asleep."
"Oh?"
She tries to hide a smirk. "Mr. Lickable is growing on me."
"Shh," I reprimand her and double-check Abby is asleep. "Don't call him that."
Her face and voice turn serious. "He did something, and the board agreed to let the treatments start now. If Abby stays fever free for forty-eight hours, Dr. Plax said he could administer it."
Chills run through my body. My chest tightens. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"This is—" I shut my eyes. Panic crawls through me.
"What?" Cee Cee asks. "This is amazing."
"I don't have all the money." I set the coffee between the railing and my legs and put my hand over my face.
Cee Cee puts her arm around my shoulder. "It's already paid for. Colton took care of it. And not just the first treatment. All of them. Plus, he paid off your account."
I freeze. The blood drains from my face. "What?"
Cee Cee nods with a big smile. "All of it."
"It was over a million dollars," I whisper.
"Yes. He's been here the entire time. He won't leave. And his mom, too. She's really nice, by the way."
I gape at her.
She snorts. "You should see your face right now."
My thoughts are all over the place. Relief, gratitude, and also trepidation fill me. His regret over our arrangement seemed genuine at the fundraiser. But I can't fathom the amount of money he just paid. Surely, he's going to want something from me.
Am I going to have to be his whore now?
How many times do I have to sleep with him to pay him back?
Then I look at Abby and feel guilty. Whatever Colton wants from me to pay off my debt to him, I shouldn't worry about. The only thing that matters is her life. If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn't even be thinking about this.
It could be worse. At least I'm attracted to him.
I should feel grateful and fall to his feet in thanks.
I'm sure he'd love that.
Jeez, why am I even worrying about this right now?
"Mommy," Abby whispers.
I smile and stroke her cheek. "Hey, sweetie."
"I'm thirsty."
Cee Cee hands me a Styrofoam cup filled with ice water and a straw.
"Take a sip but go slow." I sit up and pull Abby with me.
She takes a few sips, and I kiss her bald head.
Cee Cee takes the cup back.
I ask Abby, "How do you feel?"
"Fine. Can we go home?"
"I need to speak with Dr. Plax."
Cee Cee rises. "Maribel is waiting to see Abby. Have her come back, and you talk with Dr. Plax."
I kiss Abby's head again and hug her. "I'll be back." I rise and go to the waiting room. Maribel and Caroline are playing a game of checkers. Colton