Page 63 of Fractured Constellations
“We do,” he confirms, leaning in and pressing his lips against my temple before moving to one side so that I can see my mom again. Richard has joined her, his jaw tight.
“You can stay for now, and Luna will continue the new treatment, but this,” he sneers, his head jerking in our direction. “Remains between us. I don’t want it getting out. Lorelei, come.”
He turns on his heel and strides down the hall, my mom still looking between us with furrowed brows and tears in her eyes.
“Mom?” I say, moving as if to get up, but she holds her hand out to warn me off.
“I have to go.”
A small, pained noise falls from my lips as she turns her back on me and quickly walks after Richard.
“It’s okay, Goldilocks. We’ve got you, baby,” Blade coos, his large arms encircling me, and I twist on the stool so I can bury my face into his chest and sob.
She looked so disgusted, and then she left, like she’s been doing ever since she married Richard, and that hurt.
Hands rub soothing circles on my back, all three touching me and whispering assurances in my ear as I let them hold me and borrow their strength once again.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“MANY ARE THE STARS I SEE, BUT IN MY EYE NO STAR LIKE THEE” BY URSINE VULPINE
LUNA
The next couple of days pass in a bit of a blur, Mom and Richard having taken themselves off to god knows where, so we don’t have to deal with that tension, thank fuck. There is still some lingering apprehension, and the guys suggest that once we get my scan results, we should think about moving into their Mom’s property regardless.
My stomach swoops whenever I think about moving in with them. It’s like a dream, yet also terrifying because it’s such a big step, but then Thorn’s words replay in my mind. It’s just the next step for us, and I can’t deny that it feels right too. So fucking right.
Soon, we’re heading back to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for my results, and my mouth is dry as we once again pull up outside of the hospital after a fucking long drive.
“Thank you for driving me all the way here,” I say to Blade as we get out. He drove here, Chase offering to drive back, and I really don’t underestimate how tiring it must be to drive for that long.
“I’d do so much more for you, Goldilocks,” Blade states, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into him, placing a soft kiss on my silk headscarf. It’s another colorful Hermès one that Thorn bought me.
I count my lucky stars as we enter the building, the feel of the Institute same as the last time; clinical but with an attempt at warmth. Chase goes over to reception while we go back to those white couches and take a seat to wait. There are a couple of people also waiting, but it’s not busy, which I’m grateful for.
Here’s something they don’t tell you about cancer: it’s fucking boring. Between the terror and the pain are endless stretches of waiting. Waiting for test results. Waiting for drugs to drip. Waiting to feel better. Waiting to feel worse. Waiting to live. Waiting to die.
“Luna?” a feminine voice interrupts my pity party, and I look up to find Nurse Susan smiling at me as Chase walks back to us from the front desk.
“Hi, Susan, how are you?” I ask, getting to my feet. I wobble slightly, dizziness rushing over me, but Blade is there to steady me, Thorn taking hold of my hand on the other side.
“I’m good. Are you okay?” she questions, her brows furrowed as her kind grey eyes look me over.
I huff a laugh, the foyer no longer spinning. “Yeah, just a little dizzy, but nothing I’m not used to.”
“Okay, well, let me know if it gets worse. I’m to take you to Dr. Kim for your results, if you could follow me?”
My chest feels tight as we follow her to the consulting rooms where we first met Dr. Kim, my stomach churning as I wonderwhat the scan will show.Will my cancer be gone? Or will it be worse?
“It’ll be fine, Goldilocks,” Blade whispers from next to me, clearly sensing my turbulent thoughts. “Whatever the results, we will get through it, okay, baby?”
I cast a glance at him as we approach the doctor’s door. “Okay.”
Susan knocks before opening the door, ushering us in.
“Luna, come in. You look a bit better than when I saw you last,” he tells me, his hand out, and I shake awkwardly because shaking hands is fucking awkward. He does the same with the guys, greeting them, which I appreciate.
“Yeah, I’m feeling a bit better. Nervous, but not as tired, I guess,” I tell him, taking one of the chairs in front of his desk. Blade remains at my back, as usual, his hand landing on my shoulder in silent support. Chase comes to sit next to me, Thorn standing on my other side.
