FALLING INTO THE DARKNESS

I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU — SHUT UP!

Ethan answered immediately.

Amber froze, watching him, as if her body had learned to read every micro-gesture on his face. One second was enough for her to understand that the call carried no good news. On the other end of the line, a female voice spoke with a formality that sent a chill down her spine.

“Mr. Rhodes… this is the nurse from the palliative care unit. We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible. It’s urgent.”

Ethan closed his eyes tightly, as if he could stop the blow that had already settled in his chest.

“I’m on my way,” he replied in a hoarse voice, without asking any questions, because he clearly did not want to hear the answer.

He hung up slowly. For a moment, he stared at the phone as if it were a foreign, useless object. Amber stood up immediately and walked over to him.

“I’m going with you,” she said, leaving him no room to refuse.

Ethan nodded. She took his hand, and they headed toward the mansion’s door, completely forgetting, in that instant, the pending conversation between the two of them.

Donovan drove them to the clinic without saying a single word. The ride became eternal, a tunnel of lights and thoughts blending together without order. Ethan stared straight ahead, his fists clenched tightly on his thighs. Amber, beside him, held his hand firmly. There wasn’t much she could do, but she didn’t want to let go of him.

When they arrived, the doctor was already waiting for them.

“Mr. Rhodes,” he greeted softly. “Please, come with me.”

Ethan stepped forward, anticipating what was coming, his heart pounding violently against his ribs. Amber stayed half a step behind, respecting that sacred space that opens when a son is about to face the inevitable.

“Your mother’s condition has worsened,” the doctor continued. “Her body is extremely weakened. The cancer did not respond to the treatments as we had hoped, and the emotional strain has been profound. She needs… time.”

Ethan shook his head desperately.

“No,” he said. “You have to help her. You have to save her. I’ll pay whatever it takes, doctor, but please, save my mother. This can’t be happening—she came from Germany with good medical results.”

The doctor held his gaze. As much as he wished he could change the outlook, there were absolutely no words that could improve what had already been said.

“She hasn’t given up, Mr. Rhodes. She’s simply… tired. And she asked us to call you. She woke up a few minutes ago. She wants to see you… I’m sorry, Mr. Rhodes. She has very little time left.”

Those words broke him.

Ethan walked almost on autopilot toward the room. Amber stayed in the hallway, leaning against the wall, her heart lodged in her throat. She knew that moment did not belong to her.

Inside, the room was dimly lit. Elena lay on the bed, fragile, connected to tubes that seemed far too large for a body that barely occupied any space anymore. Her skin was pale, but when she sensed her son’s presence, she turned her face slightly.

“Ethan…” she whispered, stretching out her hand with effort.

He crossed the distance in two steps and clung to her as if he were a child again. Tears spilled without permission.

“This is unfair,” he said through sobs. “You can’t leave like this. The doctor told me what’s happening, Mom, but I’m not going to let you go. I forbid it, damn it!”

Elena smiled gently, that smile that had always had the power to calm him even in the midst of his worst storms.

“It’s time, my love,” she murmured. “And I want to spend my last breaths with you.”

Ethan rested his forehead against her chest and held her tightly, so tightly he felt her ribs piercing his heart. Elena gently patted his head.

“Hey…” she scolded him tenderly. “I’m not going to spend my last hours watching you cry. Sit properly and pay attention to me.”

“Nothing you have to say matters more than you,” he replied. “I’m going to bring the best doctors. I’m going to fight for you. Don’t ask me to let you go.”

Elena frowned slightly and, with the little strength she had left, gave him a light pinch on the arm.

“Calm down,” she ordered. “Listen to me.”

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

“We need to talk,” she continued. “And I need you to be strong… like you’ve always been, even if you don’t realize it.”

He lifted his head, looking at her with reddened eyes.

“I’m not strong, Mom. I never have been.”

Elena shook her head slowly.

“Yes, you are. You just learned to hide it behind control, money, power… but none of that saved you from feeling. And now you’re here. That is strength.”

She squeezed his hand.

“I want you to take care of Amber,” she said clearly. “Don’t lose her because of pride or fear. She loves you in a pure way, and that kind of love doesn’t come twice in a lifetime.”

Ethan nodded, unable to speak.

“That’s the first thing I needed to tell you, and the most important,” she continued. “But now, you must listen to me carefully, my son. I may not have another chance to speak.”

Ethan inhaled deeply and nodded like a small child obeying.

“Tell me, Mom. What is it?”