↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐋𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗 ー 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬

◉

When Sierra wanders over with distant eyes, both men switch off their phones and sit forwards. Concern mixes with intrigue as they look her over.

"What's wrong?" asks Kaden.

"It's um..." Sierra frowns, searching for the words. "It's my uncle." Her voice wobbles. "He's..."

Kaden is up in a flash to embrace her. She grips him tight, burying her face in his chest. His hand gliding along her back encourages her to take deep breaths.

"I have to go to London." She pulls her sleeves over her knuckles. "I need to see him. It's really bad."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Sierra shakes her head. "I have to do this on my own. I'm sorry but I have to leave in the next hour. It's short notice but I only just got the call."

"I'll help you pack." Kaden leaves a kiss on her cheek before disappearing upstairs.

Fingers brush over her arm. "Hope won't like that I left without talking to her."

"She'll understand."

Her shoulders rise and fall. "I called him when Kaden was in the hospital. He never turned his back on me. Even though he knew what I'd done. He was the only one."

Grayson doesn't hesitate to wrap her up in his arms. His reminder to breathe encourages shaky exhales to wash over his neck.

○ ○ ○

Sierra rests her head against the wall while she peers through the small window. If she didn't have a personal jet she wouldn't make it in time. Her heart can't bear to imagine it.

Fingers curl to squeeze the pink stress ball. Hope saw the message and flew through the streets, not stopping until she made it seconds before her mother boarded the plane.

Rosa was in the passenger seat with half her makeup done and her hair styled perfectly. They've been exploring different looks all day long. Their big day is what she's clinging to in this moment.

She sinks lower in the leather seat, leg bobbing up and down.

○ ○ ○

Rogue opens the door for her. In time with her hand finding his arm, her aunt steps out of the room with a tissue in hand. It briefly touches her cheek before she notices the familiar face.

"Sierra."

"May." Short for Mayeira.

"He's been asking for you. I'm glad you could be here on such short notice."

"Anything for family."

A forced smile. "Yes."

She glimpses the cracked door. "How is he?"

"Better than he was. They don't..." May lays a hand over her heart, eyelids falling. "They don't think he'll make it to the end of the week. They said it could happen even sooner."