Chapter 112 Chapter 112
Liana's POV
The fluorescent lights shone from above, casting sterile patches of light that made all the feelings in my chest feel jagged and raw. My footsteps echoed in lwith Stanley's by my side, each footstep heavy with exhaustion and expectation.
I hadn't even realized how deeply I'd been breathing until I saw the familiar corner that led me to Cam's room. My chest eased a bit, but not all the way. Atleast not until I could see her for myself.
Stanley followed me, his hand lightly sweeping over the small of my back as we turned the corner. The casual touch anchored me more than he likely knew. It was a firm and unspoken support in the midst of my turmoil. My mother stood just inside by the door her arms folded across her chest with a scarf drawn tightly around her hair as always whenever she was anxious. She looked up the minute we arrived, her eyes locking onto mine with a flicker of worry, relief, and something only mothers carried in the weight of their gaze.
“Liana,” she breathed, voice cracking just slightly. Then she pulled me into a hug that held a thousand unspoken emotions. It held both worry, fear, strength, and that unfailing love only mothers could give.
“You’re here.”
I nodded against her shoulder, stinging tears at the corners of my eyes. I hadn't cried in a while. I didn't cry during the hearings or when I saw the messy headlines. But now, wrapped in my mother's arms, I could feel the cracking and the release.
"How is she?"
"She's all right now. Better than yesterday," Mum whispered, reclining far enough to catch my eye. Her hands cupped my cheeks, eyes scanning my face as if looking for hurt she couldn't explain.
"And you? You look tired, baby. How did the hearings go?"
I went on to tell her everything that happened earlier and he held me in a warm embrace. I kept a soft smile, the sort you give to prevent people from worrying more than they already were. "I'll be fine, Mum. I needed to see her."
She nodded, sensing too much in too little, and opened the door. She stepped aside so that I could pass through first and gave Stanley a hug. Watching my mum and Stanley's relationship blossom was one thing that warmed my heart.
Cam lay curled on the bed, small and fragile on the white sheets. The IV tube beside her ticked out a slow rhythm, and the beeping of the heart monitor gave a constant, reassuring rhythm like a lullaby. Her hair was mussed on one side and her cheeks were red from sleep. With her lips slightly apart as she breathed.
Under her arm was the same soft bunny she never left home without… worn down from years of affection, one of its ears slightly crooked and eyes scratched but still somehow personality filled.
"Mummy!" The said the moment she caught sight of me. Raspy from the breathing tubes and dryness, but with such warmth that it made my heart beat.
I stormed across the room, two strides in the space of time I woukd have ordinarily used for one and swept her into my arms. She clung tightly, her little arms wrapping around my neck as if she had no intention of ever letting me go again.
That was it. The fences I had fought to maintain for days broke down, and I let one tear slide down my cheek, which fell on her shoulder.
"I missed you so much," I whispered.
She sniffled into my neck. “I don’t like this place. It smells weird.”
A burst out in laughter… it was soft and teary. “You’re not the only one.”
Standing behind me, Stanley was by the window, making space for us. His arms were crossed over his chest but his eyes were warm as he looked. My mother came in, smoothing the cover over Cam with practiced fingers, her own relief in every movement… the way her shoulders eased just a little, the way she smoothed Cam's hair back the way she used to when I was little.
A knock sounded at the door and it creaked open to reveal the familiar face of the doctor who had been overseeing Cam’s care. He stepped in, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Good news,” he said, his voice warm and reassuring. “She’s stable and her vitals have held steady through the night, and she’s cleared for discharge this afternoon. We’ll get the paperwork started in a bit.”
The breath I hadn't even realized I was holding escaped at last. My knees felt weak, and I sat down beside her in order to stop the shiver in my legs from throwing me down.
"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice thick. "Thank you so much, Doctor. For everything."
He nodded, then patted my mum's shoulder firmly. "She's a tough one, this little warrior.".
Cam pulled herself up higher in the bed, her hands grasping mine hard. "May we go home now, Mummy? Please?"
I smoothed her hair out of her eyes, my smile real for the first time in an eternity. "Yes, baby. We're going home today."
About an hour later, mum and I were done settling the hospital and also putting her things together. Stanley held her in his arms and led the way while we followed behind.