Chapter 163: Crying in Liam's Arms

I kept asking myself the same question. I was her daughter. When your own kid is sick, shouldn't you worry? Stay a little longer? Why was Mom so calm, so eager to walk out that door? The room was quiet now, too quiet. Just me and four white walls. Lying there with a fever, I realized for the first time how truly pathetic I felt. Tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them. I swiped at them with the back of my hand, over and over, but they wouldn't quit. I liked to think I was strong. Truth was, I wasn't. Not really. Not inside. Right now, I would've given anything for someone to just sit with me. To care. The phone buzzed under my pillow. I sucked in a breath, wiped my eyes, and answered. At that point, I didn't care who it was. I just needed a voice. "Hello." It came out hoarse, barely there. "Miss Cole? Your voice sounds… off." A pause, then Liam's voice came through, smooth and teasing like always. Except this time, there was something softer underneath. "No," I said quickly.