No one knew how much time had passed before Xander finally exhaled, <b>exhaustion </b>etched deep in his features as he stepped out of the room. Alessia and Cole quickly moved to either side of him, supporting him as they made their way downstairs.
“Father, are you alright?” Alessia asked, handing him a ss of water.
Xander nodded, taking the ss and draining it in a few gulps.
“Mr. Dawson, how’s my mom?” Cole’s voice was tight, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke, betraying his anxiety.
Xander rolled the empty ss between his weathered hands, avoiding Cole’s gaze. After a long pause, he sighed heavily.
Cole didn’t dare ask again, afraid he wouldn’t be able to handle the answer.
Xander’s heart ached for him, but he knew some truths couldn’t be left unsaid.
“Cole… your mother has been lying there for two years. She’s conscious, but she can’t wake up, can’t move…” Xander’s voice faltered.
He reached out and patted Cole’s hand, his cloudy eyes glistening red with emotion. In these two years, Cole had thought about giving up more times than he could count. And yet, each time, he’d tell himself to wait a little longer–just a little longer. Days blurred into months, and before he realized it, two years had slipped by.
Jade had always been cheerful and kind, full of life, confidence, and gentle strength. Not just Cole, but even Alessia believed she would wake up eventually. No one. could have imagined her husband’s death would hit her so hard–so <b>hard </b>that she’d lose even the will to live.
They had tried everything, the three of them, hoping for a flicker of survival in Jade’s eyes. But nothing broke through her silence.
The room was thick with unspoken words when Cole suddenly stood up. He didn’t say a thing, just trudged upstairs as if his soul had been sucked out, stumbling on the steps.
Alessia started after him/but Xander gently held her back. He shook his head. “Let him be with his mother for a while. He’s been running from this for two years–it’s
time for him to decide,”
Alessia bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood. “Is there any way Ms. June could
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wake up again?”
“It’s possible,” Xander <b>replied</b>, wiping a hand over his face<b>, </b><b>eyes </b><b>fixed </b>on the med kit on the table. “But if she does, there’s no turning back. It would <b>be </b>thest time
Night fell early. A low rumble of thunder gave way to a sudden, torrential rain that pounded the windows without warning.
The house was brightly lit, but the food on the table went cold, reheated, then <b>cold </b>again. No one touched a bite.
Cole remained upstairs. Alessia and Xander sat frozen on the sofa, silent and unmoving, like two statues.
Suddenly, Cole rushed out, his face pale with panic.
“Father! My mom–her heart rate’s dropping again!”
Xander didn’t hesitate. Alessia kept close, hovering at his side in case he stumbled.
With trembling hands, Xander inserted the needles one by one into Jade’s skin. Cole stood by, eyes rimmed red, not daring to blink, terrified his mother would slip away the moment he looked away.
“Cole…” Alessia’s voice was hoarse and uncertain.
He turned stiffly, looking at her with eyes full of bewilderment and pain. In that moment, he seemed so lost–like an abandoned dog, desperate and helpless. The sight made Alessia’s heart ache.
She opened her arms and gathered him in.
Cole buried his face in her shoulder, and Alessia could feel the wetness soaking through her shirt. His whole body shook with the effort of holding back sobs.
Alessia pressed her lips together, her own tears threatening to spill.
She stroked his back, slowly and gently, again and again.
But this time, the miracle never came. When Xander looked at them, they both understood–the decision could no longer wait.
Alessia squeezed Cole’s hand, giving him all the silent support she could muster.
She knew there was nothing she could say–no words like “You still have me“-because nothing could rece his parents in his heart. And no one but Cole could make this choice for himself.