chapter 4

He smirked.

I caught him smiling. I looked up—wow, he's tall. Those collarbones peeking out from under his shirt, and that jawline... okay, AHEM! What am I even thinking?

“What’s that smile for?” I asked, pretending I wasn’t just caught staring.

“I never knew you’d be this adorable,” he said, completely unfazed.

My mind went blank. System error: brain has exited the chat.

“Y-your measurements are done. Have fun at the meeting with the CEOs from Sunra Tech and Medallia Corp,” I managed to say, trying my best not to sound like a broken toaster.

“Okay, thanks. You can go home for today. See you tomorrow then.”

Huh?! I get to go home early?? YES! Sweet freedom, finally!

As I skipped (yes, skipped) my way out of the building, something tugged at the back of my mind.

Dad.

It’s been a while since I visited him in the hospital… I miss him.

But first—I drove home.

When I stepped through the door, two human rockets named Billy and Becky launched themselves at me. “Yay! Sister’s here!!”

“Oof—whoa, careful!” I laughed, hugging them back. Their energy could power a city.

“Are you guys hungry?” I asked.

“Yes! Pizza, please!!”

“Alright, let’s see if we’ve got any left,” I said, heading to the kitchen.

And guess what? The pizza gods were kind today. I warmed it up and served my two happy goblins.

As they ate, I asked, “Where’s Mom?”

“Mom went to see Dad at the hospital,” Becky said with her mouth full. Classic.

“Oh right. I need to visit him too.”

I knelt down and looked them both in the eyes. “Okay, be good. No fighting over the last slice of pizza or the TV remote, got it?”

“Yesss!” they chimed, flashing their toothy grins. (I’m giving that peace maybe ten minutes, max.)

Before leaving, I glanced back at them one more time.

Being from a not-so-rich family isn’t easy. We don’t have the latest gadgets or go on fancy vacations. But those two… they never complain. They don’t ask for anything expensive. They’re simple, understanding, and honestly? Way too mature for their age.

They’ve grown up seeing life for what it is. And even though I wish I could give them more, I’m proud of them for accepting things as they are—yet still smiling like the world’s perfect.

Somehow, they give me strength. Every single day.

I drove off to the hospital.

When I stepped into the room, I saw Dad sitting up in bed, and Mom right beside him. My heart felt warm. I rushed over and hugged him tight.

“How are you, Dad?” I asked.

“I’m doing much better. How’s work? How are your siblings?”

“They’re all good. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

He looked down, voice softer now. “I’m sorry for putting this burden on you… I should’ve been more careful with the car. I’m not a good father—”

“Stop,” I interrupted him gently but firmly. “You’re a good man, and you’ll always be my hero. You’ve worked hard your whole life to raise us. Now it’s my turn to take care of you and Mom. And we will find the person who did this to you.”

He stared at me for a second. Then smiled. A smile full of love, and maybe a little guilt.

Mom reached out and held both our hands. Her eyes were teary.

I didn’t cry. Not yet.

There was a knock at the door. A doctor peeked in.

“May I have a word with you, Miss?”

I turned to my parents. “Wait here, I’ll be back.” They nodded.

I stepped into the hallway with the doctor.

“How’s his condition?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

He looked serious. “I won’t sugarcoat it. Your father’s condition has worsened. There’s internal damage we didn’t detect earlier. It’s not yet critical, but it could become dangerous if we don’t act fast.”

“And the treatment?”

“We’ll give you an estimate tomorrow. But… it’s going to be costly.”

I took a slow breath. “Alright. Thank you.”

He nodded and left.

I stood there for a moment. Quiet. Processing everything.

Just a few hours ago, I was awkwardly flirting with my cold, good-looking boss. And now I’m being told I might lose the most important man in my life.

Life really is a rollercoaster with no seatbelt.

I wiped my eyes, fixed my expression, and walked back into the room.

“What did the doctor say?” Dad asked.

I smiled. “Just some regular checkups. Nothing to worry about.”

He looked relieved. And I chose to believe that lie—for now.

Because I had to.

"There was a loud bang on the door..." and continuing There was a loud bang on the door which startled both of us. I thought someone was going to murder us—until I realized… who else would it be?

None other than my bestie, Raven.

“Huff... huff...” She stood there, breathing heavily, looking absolutely hilarious with her windblown hair and dramatic entrance. I had to choke back a laugh and try to look serious.

“Are you guys alright?” she asked, scanning my face.

“Yes, we’re fine. And—wait, how did you know I was here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.

“I get to know things from people, y’know?” she said with a playful wink.

Oof. What a flirty line. Classic Raven. Even after all this time and all the chaos in our lives, she still knew how to throw me off with her random charm. We’d both been so busy lately with our own jobs, it's like life kept pushing us apart, but somehow, we always found our way back.

“Come here. Don’t you want to give your bestie a hug?” she said, opening her arms.

“Of course, bae!” I grinned and walked straight into her arms. A nice, warm hug. The kind that made you forget about the world for a second.

“Okay, stop with the lovey-dovey. You two should go now,” my mom said, waving her hand at us with a half-smile.

“But I just got here!” Raven and I said in unison.

My mom looked at us like we were two six-year-olds again who refused to be separated. I guess some things never change.

Meanwhile, back at home...

Billy slumped on the couch, remote in one hand, slice of pizza in the other. “Ughhh, I wish I could skip school tomorrow. My brain’s melting.”

Becky rolled her eyes dramatically, folding her arms. “You say that every day. And every day, you still go.”

Billy took a dramatic bite. “That’s because I’m a responsible man of the house.”

“You literally cried yesterday because Mom didn’t buy your favorite cereal.”

“I didn’t cry. I... was emotionally surprised.”

“Pfft!” Becky giggled, then leaned her cheek on the back of the couch. “I miss Lily when she’s not around.”

Billy nodded, licking sauce from his thumb. “Yeah. She works too much. And she doesn’t even bring snacks from her office anymore.”

“She brings hugs. That’s enough,” Becky said with a small smile.

Billy turned to her with a squint. “Are you okay? That was almost... mature of you.”

Becky smacked his shoulder with a pillow. “I am mature! You’re the one who wears socks that don’t match!”

“They’re called fashion choices,” he said, pulling up both his legs and showing one pineapple sock and one galaxy sock. “Style. Ever heard of it?”

Becky laughed again, falling back into the couch. “We’re a mess.”

“Yeah,” Billy agreed with a grin. “But we’re a cute mess.”

They sat in silence for a few seconds before Becky whispered, “Do you think Dad’s really getting better?”

Billy looked at her. He didn’t answer right away. “I think Lily will make sure he does.”

Becky nodded. “Yeah… I believe in her.”

Billy leaned back dramatically. “But until then... we must survive dinner without her. Which means—NO ONE’S TAKING THE LAST SLICE!”

“YOU JUST ATE FOUR!”

“IT’S CALLED BUILDING STAMINA!”

And chaos resumed in the living room.

After a warm, teary visit with Lily’s parents, she and Raven stood just outside the hospital room, their footsteps soft as they walked down the hallway.

“I’ll have food delivered for Mom and Dad when we get back,” Lily said, already pulling out her phone.

“Nope,” Raven said, grabbing Lily’s phone mid-air like a reflex-trained ninja. “I’m paying.”

“What? No, no way! I’m the daughter. I should do it!” Lily frowned, reaching to take her phone back.

But Raven raised her eyebrow and said, “Lily. If you dare open your mouth and say another word about paying, I swear I’ll smack you with that overpriced hair clip you bought from the street vendor last month.”

Lily gasped. “You wouldn’t—”

“Try me.”

Behind them, her parents were watching like it was live theater.

“Oh dear,” Lily’s mom chuckled.

“I’m rooting for the one with the death stare,” her dad added, grinning.

“I hate you all,” Lily muttered dramatically, arms crossed as she sulked.

“You love me,” Raven grinned.

“Whatever,” Lily groaned, looking grumpy but secretly smiling inside.

The food was ordered (Raven paid), and after a few more giggles, hugs, and playful nagging from her parents about finally bringing Raven over again, the two girls finally headed out.

Outside, the evening was soft and breezy. Raven stretched, yawned, and jingled her keys. “I’m driving ahead. If you crash into my bumper again, I swear I’ll leave you in the ditch.”

“That was one time,” Lily muttered.

“One unforgettable time,” Raven teased.

They both got into their cars, started the engines, and drove off—windows down, music loud, and the kind of peaceful silence that only best friends could share across two moving vehicles.

When they finally reached Lily’s place, Raven hopped out and yelled from across the driveway, “Sleepover at your place, yeah?”

“Yeah, come in already, you maniac,” Lily called back with a tired smile.

Raven sprinted past her like a kid on a sugar rush. “Dibs on the big blanket!”

“You always take that one—!”

Lily trailed in behind her, shaking her head. She locked the door behind them and kicked off her shoes. But before she could even head to her room or grab a snack—

She climbed the stairs to the TV room where her siblings usually hung out...

And what she saw made her freeze at the doorway, eyes wide.

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