Forbidden Mate: Awakening

~LILY’S POV~

It hadn’t been a day since we had arrived from our strenous journey when I heard my mom was sick. Infact, it was as soon as we entered the grove, I was informed of it. My mind raced when I heard the news. My mom, sick? She was the one who rarely fell ill in the entire grove. She had a strong immune system and very strong genes. Was it just a cold or something worse? Because the way the maid told me, she also looked fearful. Gosh, my mind spun in different directions. I told Theo and Sarah I had to visit her and my dad first before we would go to Aunt Belinda’s.

Before I even went to my room to freshen up, I immediately rushed to meet her and saw my father in their room. I went to hug him. He looked so tired and drained.

“Dad, what happened?”

“Where have you been, Lily?” He said, looking worried.

“Dad, I’d explain later I promise, but what happened to mom?”

“Lily, my dear.” My mom’s frail voice called to me and I went to her side. I sat beside her, my heart heavy with worry and concern. I immediately felt guilty for her condition. I wonder if it was because I just left again that made her seriously ill. I did tell her I’d be going to visit Sarah and also begged Aunt to explain to them for me, so I wondered what happened when I wasn’t around.

My mother, once vibrant and full of life, now lay pale and weak, consumed by an illness I didn’t even know yet. The room was filled with an air of sadness and the weight of uncertainty hung in the air. What was going to happen to her? I looked at my dad again but he looked completely shattered. I looked back at my mom.

“Mother,” I whispered, “How are you feeling? What really happened to you?”

My mother managed a weak smile, her voice barely a whisper. “I am tired, my dear,” she replied,. “But having you here by my side brings me strength and comfort.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out and gently held my mother’s frail hand. “I wish there was something I could do to make you better, mother,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion. I couldn’t even ask what was wrong with her. I didn’t want to hear it from her and from the looks of it, I don’t think my dad wanted to tell me in her presence too.

My mother’s eyes filled with warmth and love as she gazed at me. “My sweet child, you have already done more than you can imagine,” she whispered. “Your strength, your resilience, and your brave spirit have been a beacon of hope to all of us in these trying times. You’ve outdone yourself, dear.”

I immediately remembered what Sarah had told me one time. Anytime older people talked like this, it meant…. No. No. No. I wouldn’t imagine it. Never.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

My heart swelled with gratitude and sadness. I wanted her health to be restored right then and there, I didn’t care if it was possible or not. I wanted to see her vibrant and strong once again. I wanted to take away her pain, to bring back the joy that had been stolen from her after all she’d done by my dad’s side to help keep this grove together during these mad times.

“Mother, I won’t let you suffer,” I declared, “I’ll find a way to heal you, to bring back your health. I won’t rest until I have done everything I can. You’ll get better, I promise. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me, “My brave child, you have always been a source of light and strength in our pack,” she said softly. “But remember, sometimes the greatest strength comes from accepting what we cannot change. You have a destiny to fulfill, and I have faith in you.”

I felt my resolve falter as my mother’s words sank in. I understood that my mother spoke the truth, that sometimes it was important to accept certain things. However, the idea of losing my mother caused an unbearable ache within me. I would never be able to accept it, when I knew I could cure it.

“I love you, mom,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “Please, hold on. I won’t let go.”

She reached out and gently caressed my cheek. “And I love you, my dear Lily,” she said with her tender voice. “You have a strength within you that will guide you through any storm. Remember that.”

As the room filled with silence, I held onto her hand, cherishing that moment we had together. I looked at my father who just sat there, staring at his wife.

I broke into tears. They kept on flowing from my sockets even though I didn’t want my mom to see me that way. I quickly looked away and covered my eyes with one of my hands.

My mom’s grip on my other hand got tighter and she started crying in pain. I turned to look at her. My dad rose up to her, “Honey…honey, what is it?”

“It hurts…ah!” She held her stomach and my dad quickly rushed out to get the in-house doctor. He excused the both of us and we waited outside for a while. My dad was first called in and I looked through the window as they both talked while my mom was sleeping from the sedatives she was given.

I could barely see clearly because of the tears that filled my eyes.

After a while, the doctor first came out and as he was about leaving I walked up to him.

“Good day sir.” I tried to hide my brokenness.

“Yes, dear?”

“Can I know…what’s wrong with my mom?” I asked.

He looked back as if waiting for my dad to come out then he looked back at me. He sighed then shook his head, “She has cirrhosis.”

My mouth fell.