Happier With You | ✓

Chapter 23

**TRIGGER WARNING**

I sat beside Cody's hospital bed, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest.

He'd been sleeping for hours, dark shadows clinging beneath his eyes. The doctors had called it a cancer flare-up-an ironic understatement for something that left him looking so fragile.

My fingers laced with his, tracing slow circles over his knuckles, trying to comfort both of us. His parents were due any minute, and I dreaded their arrival as much as I dreaded hearing what the doctors would say. Cody's surgery was supposed to be next week, but with his fever and worsening headaches, it felt like everything was unraveling.

The door creaked open.

Cody stirred as his parents walked in.

"Cody," his mom greeted, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She came to his bedside but barely looked at him before shifting her attention to his dad.

"We really need to discuss those other treatment options," she whispered urgently.

His dad scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, here we go again. Always assuming you know best. We've been through this, Maddie-the doctors have already decided on a plan."

Here we go.

"And that's exactly the issue!" She snapped, lowering her voice. "You think I don't know what's best for my own son? Maybe if you listened once in a while, we'd actually get somewhere."

"Enough," Cody mumbled, his eyes still shut as his fingers tightened around mine.

Neither of them heard him.

His mom took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "I'm just saying," she continued, glancing at him. "There are other doctors we haven't even consulted. A second opinion wouldn't hurt."

"A second opinion would waste more time, Maddie." His dad's voice hardened. "We don't have time to shop around just because you can't accept reality. The doctors know what they're doing."

I felt Cody's pulse racing beneath my fingers, his breathing turning shallow and ragged. I ran my thumb over his hand, trying to soothe him, but I knew he was barely holding it together.

His mom's phone buzzed. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen before sighing.

"I have to take this." Her voice was softer now, apologetic. She looked at Cody for a brief moment-like she wanted to say more-then disappeared into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind her.

Silence fell over the room, but it didn't last long.

Cody's dad cleared his throat, shifting his gaze toward me.

"London, could you give us a minute? I need to have a private word with my son."

Cody's grip on my hand tightened as he weakly shook his head. "No. She stays."

His dad sighed, his patience visibly thinning. He crossed his arms, eyes locking onto mine with a quiet intensity.

"This is a family matter, London. I'm sure you understand."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off.

"Cody needs to focus on his recovery, not... distractions."

I stiffened. "Excuse me?" I glared at him, my heart pounding.

The words stung, but I wasn't about to leave Cody alone.

Cody's hand tightened around mine, his eyes pleading.

His dad's voice dropped to a colder tone. "I'm asking you nicely to leave the room. This isn't your concern."