Chapter 20: Calling for him
Chapter 20
The hallway lights flickered above her, casting a dull yellow glow on the hospital floor tiles. Katherine rested against the wall, her body numb and her mind hazy. Her uniform was damp with sweat, her clamy palms were trembling as she buried her face in them.
She couldn’t think straight—her brain was clouded. Her heart was beating too loud, too fast, in un-rhythmic patterns.
She looked through the small square see-through window in the hospital door again, staring at her baby.
Jasmine still lay there—unmoving.
Matthew had taken a seat by her bedside, his head lowered, his fingers brushing back Jasmine’s hair so gently. Her heart pulled at the action. It was the softest thing she had seen in all this emergency.
She released a shaky breath as she fought to hold back the tears that wanted to escape. She felt so useless right now because she had failed.
Again.
Katherine had willed herself, since she picked herself up years ago, and told herself she could do it alone. She didn’t need anyone’s help. She wouldn’t rely on anyone for anything—that she’d be enough for herself and her kids. But now, she felt so helpless. This was beyond her capability.
She could feel her world breaking apart because her daughter needed something she couldn’t give. It was beyond her ability.
Their blood didn’t match.