HEALING THE SCARS

CHAPTER 53

DYLAN

At the hospital, I move to sit beside Mabel, noticing how her shoulders are hunched, as if the weight of the world is pressing down on her. For a moment, I hesitate, unsure if she'll let me in. But when I place a tentative arm around her shoulders, she doesn't move away. She leans into me slightly, her body trembling with barely restrained emotion.

"She's going to be okay. Don't worry. She's in good hands," I say softly, keeping my voice steady.

Her lips tremble as she wipes at a tear that slips down her cheek. "I want to believe that, Dylan. But I... I can't stop thinking about the worst." Her voice cracks.

I don't know what to say at first, so I just stay quiet, letting her speak.

"She's like a child to me," Mabel says, her voice barely above a whisper. "A child that I don't even have." She looks down at her legs, as if ashamed of admitting this.

"Yet," I murmur.

She turns to look at me, her brow furrowing. "What?"

"You said you don't have a child. I said, 'yet.' You don't have a child yet," I explain.

Her face crumples, and for a second, I worry I've said the wrong thing. She shakes her head, letting out a shaky laugh that doesn't reach her eyes.

"Dylan, it's been six years. Six whole fucking years. Do you know what that feels like? To try and try, and still have nothing to show for it? I feel... defective."

"Mabel..."

"No, let me finish," she says, cutting me off. "It's not just about me. It's Joey too. I see it every time he looks at me like I'm letting him down. Like I'm not enough. And I know he's trying to hide it, but... it's there. And it's killing us."

I can see the pain in her eyes, raw and unfiltered, and it guts me. I've never seen her this open, this vulnerable.

"Mabel, you're not defective. Don't say that about yourself." I shift so I'm fully facing her. "You're one of the strongest people I know. Joey loves you. He does. He told me as much. But this... it's hard. It's hard on both of you."

Her voice trembles when she speaks. "I'm scared, Dylan. Scared that he'll wake up one day and decide he's done waiting. That he'll decide I'm not worth it anymore."

I shake my head, firm. "He's not going to do that. You two just need to talk. Really talk. And listen to each other. I already spoke to him about seeing a specialist. He's open to it. But you both have to be ready. When you are, I'll make the call, okay? The guy I know is the best in the state. If anyone can help, it's him."

She looks at me for a long moment, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You really think this can work?"

"I do. But it's going to take patience from both of you."

She nods slowly, her expression softening. "I'll talk to him. I'll try. I just hope... I hope it's not too late."

"It's not," I say firmly.

There's a beat of silence before she turns the conversation on me. "And what about you?"

I blink, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"What are you going to do about your life? About Penelope? Jason?"

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the chair. "I ask myself that question every day. Honestly, I don't have all the answers. All I know is that I want to be there for Jason. I want to be the dad he deserves. But Penelope..." I trail off, running a hand through my hair.