Nora sat on the hospital floor, her eyes vacant, her body trembling. She couldn't speak. The shock held her like ice.
"Nora? Nora!" Nana's voice cut through the stillness as she rushed over. "What happened? Where's Asher?"
Zayan, standing nearby with clenched fists and eyes dark with worry, answered, "He's in the operating room."
Nana's eyes widened. "What happened?"
Zayan glanced down at Nora, who finally whispered, "He was beaten… It was meant for me. And he… he—"
Her voice cracked, and she couldn't finish. The weight of guilt crushed her.
Suddenly, the doors swung open and a doctor stepped out. "Who's the mother?"
Nora stood, shaky. "I am."
The doctor gave her a doubtful look. "Aren't you a little young to be a mother?"
"I raised him," she said firmly. "He's mine."
"Well," the doctor said, flipping through his clipboard, "we managed to repair the damage. His bones were badly broken, but he's stable now. Does he have any preexisting medical conditions?"
"No," Nora said quickly.
But Nana stepped forward. "Yes."
Nora spun to her, confused. "What do you mean, yes?"
Nana hesitated, then looked down. "Last month, Asher fainted. I took him to the hospital… they found a brain tumor. He begged me not to tell you. Said he didn't want to burden you. We didn't have the money for surgery, and I've been trying to raise it since then."
Nora went still. Her knees buckled, and she sank into the chair beside her. A brain tumor? Her baby had been hiding this from her—protecting her when she was supposed to protect him.
She looked up at the doctor, her voice barely steady. "How much does the surgery cost?"
The doctor exchanged a look with Zayan. Zayan gave a silent nod.
"The hospital covered it," the doctor said gently. "We have a program to help children who can't afford treatment."
Nora's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you," she whispered.
Just then, Asher was wheeled out of surgery, unconscious and pale, an oxygen mask covering his face. Nora rushed to his side, holding his small hand as he was taken into recovery. She refused to leave his side.
Later, Kamari, one of the loyal maids, brought her fresh clothes. She changed quickly, her heart burning with rage.
Nora stood beside Asher, her fists clenched.
"That bitch," she said coldly. "She'll pay. A heavy price."