CHAPTER 104: FACES THAT CHOSE TO CARE

I sat there in Dominic’s passenger seat, chewing slowly on the burger he’d brought.

The Starbucks cup sat in the holder, but my throat was too tight to drink much.

I barely looked at Dominic, but I could feel him watching me. His hand was in my hair, his fingertips kept brushing over my scalp in slow circles.

When I finally finished eating, I slumped back against the chair, the paper bag crumbled in my lap.

"I’m so scared," I said finally, my voice sounded so quiet it almost didn’t sound like me. "My hands have been shaking since. My chest feels like... like someone’s squeezing it tighter and tighter. I can’t breathe right."

Dominic glanced at him as his hand stilled in my hair. "It’s okay baby."

"What if my mom doesn’t make it?" My voice cracked. "I don’t wanna think that, but I keep thinking it. And if she doesn’t... I’m gone. I’ll lose myself. And I’ll lose Alia too."

His brows pulled together. "What are you talking about, babe? She’s going to make it. You told me they brought in one of the best doctors."

I sniffled. "Yeah. Dr. Kenji Sato. He flew in from Tokyo this morning."

Dominic nodded like that fact alone sealed a successful operation. "See? She’ll be fine." Then his eyes narrowed. "But what do you mean you’ll lose Alia?"

I rubbed my palms over my jeans. "ChildProtectiveServices. If my mom... if she doesn’t make it, they’d take Alia away from me. It was already hard enough when she got sick. I had to pick up every job I could just to make it look like we’re stable. I can’t..." My voice cracked. "I can’t lose her."

"Really?" he said, frowning.

I buried my face in my hands. "I just want everything to be okay. I want my mom to walk out of that operating room smiling. I miss her cooking. I miss my dad’s dumb jokes. I miss... having parents. I had to grow up faster than I should’ve, before I even got the chance to be a kid. I’m so tired, Dom."

Dom’s hand slid to my back, rubbing slow circles. "Come here," he said, adjusting his seat back so I could lean into him. When I did, his arms wrapped around me like he was trying to keep me from falling apart.

"It’s gonna be fine," he whispered against my hair. "You have me, okay? I’m not going anywhere. I’ll protect you."

I didn’t say anything, I just listened to his heartbeat.

I stayed quiet until he said, "If it helps... I haven’t seen my parents for over a year."

That made me lift my head. "A year? Why?"

"Yeah." He gave a humorless smile. "They’re always working. Even when they do come home, it’s never more than a couple of days before they’re gone again. My house is just... quiet. Empty." He shook his head. "Honestly, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to miss them."

My eyebrows pulled together. "That’s so sad..."

"and I’ve never had my mom’s cooking," he cut in with a small laugh. "She’s never stepped into the kitchen. She doesn’t even know how to boil pasta. My dad says she tried once and burned the whole thing."

I laughed, leaning my head back onto his shoulder. "Life’s unfair."

"It is, babe," he said, pressing his forehead to mine. "That’s why we have each other. You bring warmth into my life. And I’ll be here to protect you. Always."

Before I could say anything back, my phone buzzed. It was June.

"You need to come back now," she said the second I answered. "Guess who just showed up to visit!"

"Uh... no idea?"

"Just hurry! They’re waiting!" she squealed.

"Alright, alright, I’m coming." I glanced at Dom and smiled faintly. "I’ll be back, Dommybear."

Dominic froze. "What did you just call me?"

"Dommybear." I grinned. "Oh, sorry... DomDom. Like Nari Han calls you." I exaggerated the tone just to make it more ridiculous.

He started laughing. "Oh, you pretty boy... come here." His hands shot out, tickling my ribs until I was gasping and laughing.

"Stop! Oh my god... stop!" I gasped between laughs.

That’s when it slipped out. "June knows about us."

He froze mid-tickle, as his eyes widened. "She what? You told her?"

"Yes." I said, already opening the car door.

"Ash Rivera, get back here and explain yourself!" he called after me. But I was already halfway out, still laughing as I shut the door behind me.

God, I’m so gone for him.

So this is love,hmm-hmm-hmm, so this is love... I hummed under my breath as I twirled on the sidewalk, already picturing my mom smiling and giving us her blessing.

A throat cleared behind me.

"Snap out of it, lover boy," June said, hooking her arm through mine. "Come on. They’re waiting."

"Who’s waiting?" I asked, practically bouncing on my heels. "Omg, Juney, who did you call? Don’t tell me you called your favorite boy band, The Elite3. Or wait,let me guess. That actor you’re obsessed with... what’s his name again.."

"Omg, Ash." She rolled her eyes, laughing as we walked quickly down the hospital hallway. "I wish I had that kind of money, but you know... I’m broke." She laughed. "This is wayyy better."

I was nervous and curious. I didn’t believe her, until we turned another corner and I froze.

My throat tightened instantly.

"Oh... my god."

Mr. Sun was standing there. Next to him... Jae. Behind them...my co-workers from the diner, Mrs. Jennings and her husband and even her grandson, chip guy.

They were all holding something....roses, a fruit basket, a paper bag that looked stuffed with snacks.

I didn’t know whether to cry first or run forward and hug every single one of them.

"Thank you so much, guys..." My voice cracked.

Mr. Sun stepped forward. "Jae told us about your mom’s surgery. She talked to June about the location and time, and we decided to come to support you. We even closed the diner for the night....everyone gets a night off." He chuckled softly.

"You... you didn’t have to..."

"Of course we did," he said, squeezing my shoulder before stepping back

Mrs. Jennings came forward and wrapped her arms around me in that grandma-hug way that made me want to cry even harder. "I knitted this blanket for your mom. For when she wakes up," she said, holding out a neatly folded soft purple knit. "I can’t wait for it to be over. My husband’s surgery is this week too. It’s not as serious as hers, thank the Lord, but... I’m rooting for you, son."

"I... I don’t even know what to say," I whispered.

"Say nothing," Mr. Sun said. "Just let us be here with you."

I swallowed hard, looking around at all their faces. Faces that didn’t have to be here, but still came. Faces that chose to care.

"Thank you so much, guys," I said again. "You don’t know how much this means to me."

Just as Mrs. Jennings was telling me about the blanket’s pattern, the OR doors swung open.

A doctor in scrubs stepped out, her mask pulled down, hair tucked neatly under a disposable cap. The whole hallway seemed to hold its breath. Everyone stood up instinctively.

I ran towards her immediately.

"How’s my mom doing? It’s been two hours."

She didn’t slow down, just glanced at me for a second while walking. "We’ll get back to you later, sir. Everyone should stay calm and remain seated," she said quickly, before jogging down the hallway toward another set of doors.

It wasn’t the answer I wanted. It wasn’t even an answer at all. My hands felt cold immediately.

I turned back to the group. No one knew what to say. Mrs. Jennings reached for my arm, but I pulled away, and forced a nod, like I was fine, like I wasn’t seconds away from falling apart.

I could hear June mutter something, but I couldn’t catch the words.

The roses in Mr. Sun’s hands seemed too bright for the room. The fruit baskets was too cheerful. I wanted to believe all of it meant hope, but right now, it all just felt like waiting.