When the anesthesia wore off, Pattie slowly came to. Her throat felt raw, burning with every breath-like she''d swallowed shards of ss. She couldn''t speak, not even a whisper; even swallowing was almost impossible.
Every attempt to swallow felt like forcing down razor des. The pain brought tears to her eyes, and Herman and Anastasia stood by, looking utterly helpless.
Herman crouched beside her, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Pattie, the surgery went perfectly. Just hang in there a little longer, okay? Once the bandagese off, you''ll be able to talk again. You''re our superstar, aren''t you?"
Anastasia leaned in and stroked Pattie''s hair. "Mom and Dad are right here, sweetheart. Don''t be scared. You''re the bravest girl I know."
Pattie managed a watery nod, determination shining through her tears.
Right now, Anastasia didn''t care about anything outside that hospital room. All she wanted was to help Pattie through the rough days ahead, longing for the moment she''d hear her little girl call her "Mom" again.
Everything else faded to the background-including Asher. Anastasia updated Rowan: Asher was beyond saving. He''d confessed to assaulting Julie, and that alone would be enough to lock him up for three years.
She texted Hanna, telling her to get Rowan out of Riverdale as soon as possible.
***
Willowbrook.
By the time Tavon arrived at the hospital, night had already fallen.
He''d waited until Geneva and Thomas had left-he wasn''t about to risk bumping into the Stantons. They''d probably rip him apart.
Inside the room, only Sean and Sandy remained.
Tavon pushed open the door, and both kids looked up. Sean''s face was tight with anger, his words sharp. "Mom ends up like this and you couldn''t even bother toe back? Dad, look at her-this is all your fault."
Ashleyy motionless in the bed, a venttor keeping her alive. The doctors had said there was no hope-she was in aa, no chance of waking up.
Sandy sat by the bed, no makeup, wiping Ashley''s hands with a cloth. She nced at Tavon just once, her face cold and expressionless.
Tavon stepped inside. "Where were you two when your mother jumped?" His voice was rough.
Ashley had jumped from the third floor of their own house, early in the morning.
Sean bristled, his anger spilling over. "Now you want to question us? Where were you, Dad? With your new girlfriend, right?"
"Watch your mouth. I''m still your father," Tavon barked, his voice rising. "Where were you when your mother jumped? Why wasn''t anyone looking after her?”
Ashley had jumped just after dawn, still in her nightgown. Tavon couldn''t stop thinking about it-who chooses to die first thing in the morning, still in pajamas? Ashley always cared so much about her looks. Even if she meant to end it, she''d have put herself together first.
Something just didn''t add up.
Sandy finally Spoke up, her tone t and emotionless. "I was still asleep when it happened. The Morton Group mess had me stressed, so drank and went to bed early. Sean was at his apartment. The housekeeper found Mom at seven, called me, and I rushed over. There was a note on her nightstand. She med you and Anastasia for this."
Her words were smooth and cold—just the facts, no sign of grief.
Tavon searched Sandy''s face but saw nothing-no sadness, no tears.
Sean''s anger only grew. He pointed a shaking finger at Tavon. "You ruined this family. Mom was with you over twenty years. She went to Riverdale, came back, and then
this did you say something to her?"
Tavon felt a dull ache deep in his chest. Twenty years of marriage he wasn''t made of stone. He hurt, too.
“Sean, leave us," Tavon said, face rigid. "I need to talk to your sister."
"What do you want now? The Mortons are finished, Mom''s gone, Sandy''s sick, and you''re still only thinking about yourself?" Sean shot back, voice trembling.
"Out." Tavon red, grabbing Sean by the arm and pushing him out before shutting the door.
He turned to Sandy, his eyes steely. "Did you have something to do with your mother''s death? She was too proud to jump out a window in her pajamas, hair a mess. None of it makes sense."