Page 81 of Embrace

She studies me for a beat too long, and my pulse kicks. “Scarlett. This is Scarlett.Boku no yujin.”

Scarlett steps forward. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.”

My mom straightens, smoothing her hair and tugging at the edges of her gown like she’s getting ready for company. It almost makes me smile. She used to do that before my friends came over, wiping invisible dust, finding something to clean even when the house was spotless. It’s a glimpse of the mom I used to know, and it’s hopeful and depressing all at once.

Scarlett perches on the chair beside her bed, unsure where to put her hands. My mom reaches for her first, her fingers brushing through the ends of Scarlett’s hair. “Color?”

“Yup, it’s colored. I’ve been dyeing it since high school.”

My mom nods, her gaze drifting to the ink on Scarlett’s arm. “Don’t tell me my son made you get these.”

I watch her closely, ready to catch the shift if it comes, but her tone stays light. Scarlett’s cheeks flush, and I bite back a laugh as she tugs her sleeve higher, showing more color and lines. “No, I’ve had these for a while. But I do like the tattoos Kian has.”

My mom’s eyes flick between us, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You found a friend just like you,” she says with a soft laugh. “Your father is going to be shocked.”

I go entirely too still, like someone’s strapped a bomb to my chest.

“Do you like to knit? My best friend is a great knitter,” Scarlett says suddenly.

When my mom turns her eyes to the ball of yarn, I let out a breath. “I have. But by the time I get somewhere, I’m too tired. It’s whatever they’re giving me. Makes me sluggish.”

“Maybe we can talk to the nurses,” I offer. “See if they can help?”

She shakes her head. “They won’t listen. Kiyomi keeps telling me it’s good for me, but it doesn’t feel like it. Your father knows it makes me feel crazy.”

The name stills me. My pulse kicks, and my breath catches in my throat.

“He’s missed you,” she adds softly. “He’ll be happy you’re here. Where is he? Go get him already.”

Words escape me, and my mouth opens and closes without a real answer for her.

Then Scarlett stands, walking over to the yarn and knitting needles, forcing my mom’s gaze to follow her. “I think Kiyomi said he’d be back in an hour. We’ll still be here.”

“No.” My mom shakes her head, pressing a palm to her forehead. “He said he wouldn’t leave me. He should just be down the hall. Call—”

“Kian, why don’t you go check?” Scarlett interjects. “I’ll stay here.”

A look of relief sinks into my mom’s face almost immediately. Scarlett signals a quietGowhen I try to ask if she’ll be okay.

In the hall, I try to find Kiyomi, but my thoughts are scattered. They linger on the edge of that black lake again, forcing me to face this new reality where everything is wrong.

A nurse walks out of the room across the hall, and I tell her about my mom. She says she’ll be back in a second. As I walk back to Mom’s room, I stop just outside the threshold, feeling a dark resentment build in my chest.

But there’s laughter coming from the room, and I hear that soothing voice. Scarlett tells her about learning to ride a bike, which leads to my mom asking about her knitted sweater—the one Sierra made her.

I hesitate before pushing past the curtain, trying to ignore the spike in my chest when my gaze lands on my mom again.

“Kai! Finally, I’ve been waiting for you,” my mom says, her eyes bright.

She thinks I’m my dad. Again.

The last time this happened it hadn’t gone well. Her eyes had locked on to my tattoos, narrowing in confusion, her mind trying to piece together something it couldn’t grasp. But right now, I have no choice but to play along.

I step toward her slowly, careful not to rush, my gaze flicking to the door for the nurse or Kiyomi. “Sorry…I was in the cafeteria,” I say in Japanese, careful not to shatter the reality she’s wrapped herself in.

She laughs, light and familiar. “That’s my Kai, always looking for food anywhere he goes.”

Scarlett laughs a little warily, casting me an uncertain glance.