Page 234 of Fighting Chance

It’s the sound of my dreams being torn from me.

It’s the sound of the future Kieran and I spoke of vanishing.

It is the sound of me dying.

And it won’t stop.

Dr. Montary says something but I can’t hear anything past the ringing in my ears, nor past my heart beating erratically as it tries to remain in this world after being torn to shreds.

She leaves the room and suddenly through my watery haze I spot Kieran with tears in his eyes. His lips are moving but I can’t hear anything. I can’t feel anything over the utter devastation slamming into my body.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Layla.”

The horror in his voice, the future and hope I just ripped from his hands, is clear.

I can never have children.

“I just got better,” I say, gasping through my sobs. “I just got better! I just started hoping!” I’m all but screaming now. “I just started hoping for a family!”

“I know, baby. I’m so sorry.”

“No,” I heave. “No, no, no!” I’m hysterical, I know I am, but I can’t stop. It hurts so much.

“Sunshine…”

“Make it stop, Kieran,” I beg through my tears. “Make it stop, please. Please make it stop.”

But I know I’m begging for something that he can’t fix.

No one can fix me.

I’m broken.

ONE WEEK LATER

Chapter 51

Kieran

MOMMA BEAR CARSON

KIERAN

are you home?

MOMMA BEAR CARSON

yes, is everything okay? Need me to come over?

KIERAN

everything’s okay, Layla is with Emmy

can I head over before practice?

MOMMA BEAR CARSON

of course, I’ll pop the kettle on