Page 126 of Ransom

The monitors beep steadily in response.

"And I love you. God, I love you so much it hurts." Tears splash onto our joined hands. "You're my sister in every way that matters. You can't... I'm not ready for this. Max isn't ready."

I brush her short hair back from her forehead. "Remember when we were sixteen? You told me cancer wouldn't win. You fought so hard then. Why won't you fight now?"

The door creaks open, and I quickly wipe my eyes. Max peeks in, his small face serious.

"Can I see Mommy?"

"Of course, buddy. Come here." I lift him onto my lap. "Mommy's sleeping right now. The doctors are giving her medicine to help her feel better."

Max rubs at my wet cheek, eyes so serious, then reaches out to touch her hand. "Hi, Mommy. I made you something with Legos. It's a castle, like in your favorite movie. Mia helped."

My heart clenches at his gentle tone. He's not normally gentle, and he never speaks this quietly. But he seems to know that's what Maggie needs right now. He's such an incredible kid.

"Is she gonna wake up soon?" His big eyes search my face.

"She needs lots of rest tonight. We'll come back tomorrow to see her, okay?"Please don't make me a liar. Be okay tonight, please.

Max nods, leaning forward to kiss Maggie's cheek. "Love you, Mommy. Sleep good."

We step into the hallway where Ransom waits, his hands extended toward us both. Max takes one immediately. I hesitate for just a moment before sliding my fingers into his other hand, letting his warmth anchor me as we walk away from Maggie's room.

Please hang on. I can't lose you yet.

40

RANSOM

Iguide Blair and Max through the doorway of my penthouse, my hand hovering at the small of Blair's back without quite touching. She's been so breakable today, in a way I've never seen before. Almost like one more kind touch might shatter her.

Max shuffles toward the pile of toys Mia left scattered across the living room floor, his movements slow and uncertain. He's so fucking young. Too young to have to deal with this.

Blair watches him for a second, then drifts to the window, wrapping her arms around herself. The rigid line of her shoulders breaks my heart. I want to go to her, pull her into my arms, but I don’t know what she needs right now. The helplessness claws at my chest—I can fix almost anything else, but I can't fix this for her.

Yet having her here, in my space, feels right in a way I can't explain. Like puzzle pieces clicking into place. Even with the weight of everything that's happened today, something inside me settles just knowing she's here.

The door opens, and Colton and Mia enter. She runs straight for me, throwing her arms around my legs. I scoop her up, breathing in the scent of strawberry shampoo and sugar.

"Uncle Ranny," she whispers against my neck, eyes locked on the living room and the little boy slumped there. "Is Max sad?"

I stroke her dark curls. "His mommy's sick, princess. That's pretty hard on a kid."

"I could be his friend." Mia pulls back to look at me with those big earnest eyes. "I'm good at being friends."

"You're the best at being friends, sweetheart." My chest swells with love for this tiny person and her huge heart. "Why don't you go spend some time with him?"

She nods, and I put her down. Mia's all bounce and joy, but she seems to feel the weight of what's happening too and approaches slowly instead. She drops to her knees next to Max and reaches for another toy car. I can't hear what she says to him, but he nods, and they move to their stomachs.

I watch Mia with Max, my throat tight. "You're so fucking lucky, man. She's got such a good heart."

Colton leans against the wall next to me, his eyes soft as he watches his daughter. "Sometimes I think she's wiser than all of us put together. The way she just... gets people, you know? Their hurt, their joy. She feels it all."

"Yeah." I drag a hand down my face, exhausted.

"How're you holding up?"

I frown at him. "Me? I'm fine. Blair and Max are the ones going through hell right now."

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