Aileen overheard John''s words and waspletely shaken. She hadn''t known about this before, and now, she was on the verge of breaking down.
Hailey stepped forward. "Aileen, don''t get too worked up. Actually, Mrs. Zamora''s health has been deteriorating for a long time."
Pam had asked Hailey not to tell Den and Aileen. Aileen was about to take her high school entrance exams, and this was a crucial time for her.
Aileen broke down in tears. This was a huge blow to her. Choking on her sobs, she cried, "Why did this happen? Mom''s health was always good. I don''t believe it, and I can''t ept it. How could she possibly not make it through two days?" Hailey pulled Aileen into aforting hug. "Aileen, don''t be sad. Mrs. Zamora didn''t tell you because she didn''t want you to cry."
Aileen broke down, crying uncontrobly. "Hailey, Den and I lost our dad a long time ago. Mom has been the one raising us all these years. Even though she couldn''t see, she''s always taken such good care of us.
"My ssmates would say Ie from a single-parent family, but I never felt like I was missing anything I had Den and Mom. And now, I''m going to lose her too..."
Words offort felt insufficient, and Hailey could only hold Aileen tightly, gently patting her back, offering her presence and sce.
John approached. "Ms. Young, the best medication has been administered, but the patient is in critical condition. Please spend these final moments with her."
With that, John left.
Aileen managed to calm herself, wiping away her tears. She didn''t want her mother to hear her cry. She had to stay strong.
She looked at Hailey and said, "Hailey, thank you. Every time something happens at home, you''re always here to help us."
Hailey held Aileen''s small hand. She knew that Aileen and Den were both strong at their core, and hardships would only help them grow faster. "Aileen, didn''t your brothere?"
Aileen shook her head. "I''ve been trying to call Den, but I can''t get through. Lately, he''s been so busy. He''s hardly ever home."
Aileen had no idea what Den was caught up in.
Of course, Hailey wouldn''t tell her either. "Aileen, let''s go in and see Mrs. Zamora."
The two of them stepped into the hospital room. Pamy on the bed, looking clean and well-kept, but her face was pale.
"Mom, Hailey''s here," Aileen said.
Hailey stepped forward and took Pam''s hand. "Mrs. Zamora, I came to see you."
A weak smile appeared on Pam''s face. "Hailey, I thought I heard your voice earlier. You''re really here."
Hailey''s eyes welled with tears, and
she nodded. Mrs. Zamora, I''m here. You don''t have to worry about anything. Just focus on getting. better''ve taken care of everything at the hospital, and I''ll bring Aileen to stay with me. She still has her exams in a few days."
Aileen spoke up. "Hailey, my exams are in five days."
Hailey said, "Yeah, Aileen has only five days left until her school exam. I''ll make sure Aileen passes it Sure
smoothly. The Central High School is right near my house, and when the timees, Aileen will stay at my ce. I''ll take care of her like she''s my own sister."
Pam was deeply touched. She didn''t need to say anything or express her difficulties and concerns because Hailey understood everything.
Pam squeezed Hailey''s hand. "Hailey, thank you. It''s a blessing for our family to have met you."
Tears slipped down Hailey''s face. She pressed her cheek against Pam''s hand. "Mrs. Zamora, m just as grateful. I''m d I met you, Aileen, and Den." fo
Pam''s voice turned wistful. "I haven''t seen Den in days..."
Before she could finish, a violent coughing fit overtook her, and she suddenly spat
out a mouthful of blood.
"Mrs. Zamora!"
"Mom!"
Hailey and Aileen rushed to her side.
"Mrs. Zamora, I''ll go get the doctor!" Hailey said urgently.
Pam weakly reached out and stopped her. "Hailey, there''s no need. I know myself. My time is running out."
Aileen''s tears poured down as she clung to her mother. "Mom!"
Hailey''s vision blurred with tears. "Mrs. Zamora, do you want to see Den onest time?"