Chapter 629

The moment those words left his mouth, the rest of the group exchanged startled glances.

Jamison gazed at his brother-in-law, and suddenly it all made sense–why the man’s eyes had wavered when explaining why there was no blood on his clothes. There was definitely something off.

But before anyone could press further, the doors to the emergency room swung open and the medical team wheeled Micah out, snatching everyone’s attention away.

“Micah! My son–oh God, my boy, please, open your eyes and look at Mom–my heart is breaking!” Carla rushed to his bedside, clutching at the railing as the gurney rolled by, her voice raw with anguish.

But Micah lay motionless, eyes clamped shut. An oxygen mask covered his nose and mouth, his face as pale as a ghost, utterly devoid of life.

“Ma’am, please calm down. The patient’s condition is extremely unstable. We need to get him to the ICU immediately. Please cooperate,” one of the nurses said firmly, and with the help of her colleagues, gently but insistently pulled Carla away.

Within moments, Micah disappeared behind ICU doors.

Because Micah was an HIV patient, the hospital enforced strict protocols to prevent risk of transmission–no visitors, no bedside vigils. That was the rule.

Jamison checked his watch, voice low and steady, “It’s almost three in the morning. Everyone should go home and get some rest. The staff here are on duty around the clock, and they’ll call us if anything changes.”

Thad nodded, turning to Carla. “We’re heading home. It’s Monday tomorrow, the kids have school first thing, and I’ve got a board meeting.”

They had a chauffeur and a housekeeper, sure, but nothing compared to the parents themselves. Thad and his wife always made a point of taking their kids to school and being there for them.

Carla just pressed her face to the glass, staring at the blurred outline of a hospital bed–though she couldn’t really see anything. Micah was surrounded by wire tubing, hidden from view.

Jamison hesitated, worrying that if he didn’t come home, Ivy would be up all night waiting. After a moment’s pause, he turned and left with the others.

Carla stayed by the window for a long time, body slumping with exhaustion until finally she couldn’t stand any longer. When she turned around, she realized her husband was the only one left.

She let out a bitter laugh. “Blood ties, family, relatives–what a joke. In the end, everyone just looks out for themselves.”

Before she could finish, her husband snapped, “Everyone’s got their own responsibilities. You expect us all to stand vigil here twenty-four-seven? If Micah ended up like this, it’s because you spoiled him! And now you want to blame everyone else? Maybe it’s time you took a long, hard look at yourself!”

When Jamison arrived home, Ivy was still awake.

He opened the door to find her sitting up in bed, switching on the lamp. He was surprised. “You’re still up? It’s three in the morning–sun’ll be up soon.”

Ivy rubbed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “I dozed off for a bit, but then I woke up from a dream.”

Jamison just looked at her, concern etched on his face. He tried to reassure her, “Don’t worry. He’s still alive, but whether he’ll wake up… it’s hard to say.”

“Alright…” she murmured, relief flickering across her tired features. At least he was still here, and as long as he was alive, there was hope.

Jamison started unbuttoning his shirt, bone-tired. “I’m going to take a shower. You should try to get some sleep. There’s nothing more we can do tonight.”

Whenever he came home from the hospital, he always showered before getting into bed.

Ivy nodded and lay back down, but she waited for him.

Jamison knew she would, so he made it quick, showering and slipping into bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms, and together they lay there in silence, eyes closed, each lost in their own thoughts.

At seven o’clock, Jamison’s phone rang.

He jolted awake, heart pounding, instantly fearing bad news from the hospital. Eyes barely open, he fumbled for the phone and answered.

It was Adela Ludwig.

“Jamison, what happened to Micah? Your sister called me first thing this morning, crying her heart out, saying she’s cursed, that her only son won’t be there for her in her old age–What’s going on? I thought the doctors said he was going to be fine?”

Adela Ludwig still had no idea her only grandson had contracted HIV–let alone that her eldest grandson had tried to take his own life.

Jamison’s temper flared at her words, the last traces of sleep vanishing in a heartbeat.

Ivy, also worried about the hospital, woke up when she heard his tone.

Jamison glanced at her, voice low. “It’s my mother. Go back to sleep, I’ll take this outside.”

He climbed out of bed, phone pressed to his ear, and stepped out of the room.

There was no hiding it now.

He had no choice but to tell his mother everything–about Micah’s HIV diagnosis, about the suicide attempt.

Predictably, the news sent the old woman’s blood pressure soaring.