Love Lost, A Life Reclaimed

I knew it. I just knew it. Jessi. Something was terri

ng nothing to clear the fog of panic. My old car was unreliable, miles a

me. The window glided down, revealing Kane Daugh

ell. But Jessi. Time was of the essence. I glanced at the back seat.

still here," I muttere

ght. "Don't touch me! Get away from me, Kara! She's crazy, Kane! She's always been crazy!

y voice was a low growl. "Let's talk about your past, shall we? The one Jessi spent years covering up? The one where you ran with a biker

, a desperate fear flickering in them. "Kane, she's lying! She's j

our little... 'condition.' The one Jessi was so worried about. The one you were so

he steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned w

o hurt me because Jessi is dying! She knows how fragile I am! Oh, Kane, please, I can't listen to this! Let's just leave. I'll take Cleveland and go

aking herself the victim, isolating me.

n't hurt you." But his eyes, when they met mine, held a deep, profound disappointment. "Kara, what

was contorted in anger. He held up a bright red plastic truck, his tiny hand grippi

eyes. I cried out, clutching my head, the impact sending a jolt down my neck. But the physical

gonizing wait, the overwhelming rush of love when I first held him. His tiny fingers gripping mine, his soft coos, the sweet smell of baby powder. I had carried him for nine

roared, turning to his son. He snatched the truck from Cleveland's hand, his face a mask of rage. "What is wrong with you? We

ars silently tracing paths down my cheeks. In the reflection, I saw my own face, pale and drawn, a

had whispered to me just a few weeks ago, her voice raspy. "I'm so sorry I couldn't give you a better life. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caus

me! I'm drowning in debt! I lost everything! My career, my home, my son! All because you, in your

face buried in her hands. "I just wanted to do right by her. She was so angry, so lost. I

s right. She had tried. She had only ever wanted to do good. And Britt, with her twisted logic, had used that go

Jude's Hospital. The familiar smell of antiseptic hit me, a grim remind

all is asking for her daughter," she said softly, her gaze sweeping over me, then to Britt. "Sh

She wants to see you." My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. I grabbed

to see her! She's not my mother!" Brit

he's dying, Britt," I whispered, my voice raw with emotion. "You owe her this much

soft beeping of machines. Jessi lay on the bed, her face pale and drawn, tubes protruding from

g them what I thought was a private moment. As I st

y gentle. "The hospital. I already took care

His sudden generosity, after years of cold indifference, felt

felt bad. Jessi was always kind to me. You asked me

ssi's bills. Just... refund it. Refund the money." I had borrowed so much, taken on so much debt. His

For the way things ended. For... for the university, for your educa

t? You think a hospital bill absolves you?" My voice was colder than I thought possible. "Do you have any idea, Kane, how many jobs I lost because of your family's influence? How many doors were slammed in my face because the 'disgraced Daugherty ex-wife' w

t before he could speak, a piercin

o!" Britt's voice, raw with panic, tore t

room. Jessi's eyes were wide, fixed on me, a desperate p

ey... for me. My poor girl. You'll never get out from under it." Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of pain and profound sorrow. "

stood frozen by the bed, her face a mask of shock, h

The heart monitor. A flatline. The long, terrif

y of hurried movements and urgent com

i. The only person who had truly loved me, unconditionally. Th

ok his head. "I'm sorry. We did everyt

crippling debt, about my desperate sacrifice, in her final moments. Why? What had Britt said or done