The Man of My Prayers (Fitzmael 3) - COMPLETED

10: Ten Steps Toward The Light

ADORN ZHARICK VALE

SERENE AND I probably chatted for more than an hour. She invited me to eat, so I joined her. I looked around the house. If I weren't here, she'd be eating alone. It was so sad. After we finished eating, my phone suddenly rang. It was from Hunter, and since I was still angry with him, I ignored the call. I said goodbye to Serene since it was already late.

"Ate, text me, okay?" Serene said while waving at me.

"I will!" I waved back. "Thank you, Serene!"

"Visit me again, Ate!"

"Sure!"

I smiled widely as I walked home. I had such a great time with Serene. I don't have a sister, so I really enjoyed her company. I'm sure we'd get along on so many things.

I was close to home when I saw an ambulance pass by. My heart raced. I immediately went to the house. It felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over me when the security guard told me that Mom had been rushed to the hospital as she had another heart attack. My bag fell from my hands due to the intense shaking. I kneeled down, desperately trying to grab my car keys to drive to the hospital, but I couldn't do it because of how much I was shaking.

"Adorn!"

I turned to look outside the gate and saw Novan running toward me. I stopped what I was doing and cried even harder. I knew Novan would take care of me, so I didn't hold back anymore and let all my feelings out.

"I'm here now," he whispered, then lifted me up and walked toward his car. "Hunter called me and told me what happened. I'll go with you to the hospital." He carefully placed me in the shotgun seat and buckled me in.

Tears kept flowing uncontrollably. I took my phone and called Franco. I needed him. It just kept ringing and ringing. He didn't answer.

"Here," Novan said, handing me a tissue and a bottle of water.

"T-Thank you."

I immediately went to the ER and looked for Hunter. He was talking to a doctor, but I couldn't see the doctor's face as he had his back turned to me.

"I'M VERY SORRY, but your mother died at exactly 9:22 PM."

I instinctively held my mouth and my body suddenly weakened. It felt like my world had collapsed. Novan immediately caught me. I looked at the doctor's hand behind his back, it was shaking.

"We tried to revive her without success," the doctor said, then took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry... If you have any questions, I'll answer them when I return. I'll give you some privacy first."

After the doctor finished explaining, I immediately approached Hunter and hugged him. I sobbed uncontrollably. I didn't care about how I looked. I glanced at the doctor, and I was shocked when I saw the familiar face.

"F-Franco..." I whispered. I pulled away from Hunter's embrace. My mind was in chaos, and the weight I felt was unbearable. I didn't hesitate and hugged him tightly.

"A-Attorney..."

I tightened my embrace even more. It felt like Franco was frozen in place. He didn't move. He didn't hug me back.

"Adorn..." Hunter called me softly and gently pulled me away from Franco. "Sorry, Doc. Can you please come back after thirty minutes?" Hunter said to Franco.

"Sure," Franco responded briefly, then turned his back on us and left.

I turned my attention to Dad, who was looking down, crying. Hunter comforted him, and I sat beside them, staring into space. I tried to calm myself, but I just couldn't stop. I remembered Mom. When I go home later, she won't be there... "Mom was so unfair..." I muttered. "She said she'd wait for my wedding..." I cried uncontrollably.