I sank onto the bench.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
Noah shook his head.
“Don’t apologize.”
“I thought the worst of you.”
“So would I.”
“No, Noah.”
I looked directly at him.
“I thought the worst of you before I ever saw this paper.”
He understood.
Years earlier.
The proposal.
My jealousy.
My secret suspicion that a man could only marry Lily because of pity, money, or some hidden motive.
“I spent years telling everyone not to underestimate her,” I whispered, “and part of me was doing exactly that.”
Noah sat beside me.
“Lily would probably say you’re being dramatic.”
A laugh escaped through my tears.
“She definitely would.”
Then we heard footsteps.
A doctor was approaching.
Both of us stood.
The News We Had Been Waiting For
The doctor’s expression was different this time.
Not joyful.
But lighter.
“Your sister is stable.”
My knees nearly gave out.
Noah gripped the wall.
The doctor continued.
“We’ve controlled the bleeding. She’ll need close monitoring, but she’s responding well. Both babies are also stable and breathing without mechanical ventilation.”
Noah began crying.
I grabbed his hand.
“She made it
