Treyton stood by the doorway as he looked at the unconscious Laoise and then at Maeve, who sat on a chair close to her mother. Her eyes were pink and puffy from all the crying. It tore his heart to see her in pain.
Christmas was supposed to be with one's loved ones, but losing a loved one before Christmas was terrible. Treyton couldn't imagine losing a loved one before a beautiful holiday, but life was sometimes cruel to even those who were good people. The Alpha wanted to hold her in his arms, but sometimes, one needs to be alone to process the reality that was going to happen.
That was when Treyton realized something.
If Laoise knew about her cancer diagnosis, she would have wanted to see how Treyton was. The older woman probably knew she didn't have much time to live and wanted to see if her daughter would be in good hands. "It all makes sense now. She acted the way she did because of her worry for Maeve." Treyton put a hand over his heart. He promised himself that when Laoise woke, he would promise to take care of Maeve.
"This is the first time I have seen her in peace, Treyton." Maeve finally spoke, but her voice sounded monotone. "My mother was always strong, and I knew my father loved her for it. She had always been the strong one in the family, always putting our family forward whenever we faced a difficult situation. When my father died, she never shed a single tear in front of me, but whenever I pretended to fall asleep, I could hear her muffles." Maeve wrapped bit her lower lip; she was tired of crying. She was tired of feeling exhausted and weak. Having hope for something that there was no cure for was tiring. Maeve knew that accepting the reality that her mother was going to die was the only thing of being at peace. "Now that I see her, she looks at peace."
Treyton slowly walked toward her and knelt before her, gently holding her hands. "Maeve, I-"
"Don't worry too much about me, Treyton. I know you're trying to make me feel better, but I am slowly realizing that my mom may not live on or after Christmas. C-Could you do me the favor of calling Patrisha for me? I would like her to help me make some plans. I will give you her phone number."
Treyton nodded, took his phone, and saved Patrisha's number. "I will go make the call. Would you like me to bring you anything?"
"Tea, any that they may have."
The Alpha nodded as he went on his way, leaving Maeve alone with her mother. Maeve stared at her mother, seeing her in such a state hurt her. She knew that one day her mother would pass, but hoped it would be due to old age. The young woman had many things she wanted to do with Laoise. So many things left to do, but life was never fair.
"Maeve..." said a masculine voice.
The voice sounded too familiar, and Maeve thought it was a voice she wouldn't have to hear again. She slowly looked by the door; there stood Stephen. He had a bouquet of sunflowers. "St-Stephen? What are you doing here? How did you-!?"
"A friend of ours began to work here a couple of months ago; he saw your mom's name and then yours. He told me that you guys were here but didn't tell me the reason. I came here to see if you were alright." Stephen slowly walked in the room but kept his distance. Now, I know that it is your mom who is ill. What happened to her?"
Maeve sat silently; she was still in shock from seeing her ex. Mixed emotions went through her mind, and she didn't have the strength to argue. "She has cancer. My mom barely survived a heart attack."
Stephen looked grim as he looked at Laoise. He had met her many times while dating Maeve. Stephen viewed her as strict and felt that she was too overprotective. Although, Laoise still respected him and welcomed him whenever Maeve bought him in. He put the flowers on a cabinet close to Laoise. "I am so sorry, Maeve. What did the doctor say?"
"My mom may not survive the treatment; the cancer spread into her heart. Sh-She may not h-h-have..." It was challenging to say that her mother was going to die. Everything was slowly becoming too much for her. "I-I just don't want to see her suffer!"
Stephen walked closer to Maeve and then knelt before her. She didn't look at him, and he couldn't blame her. He broke up with her in a cowardly manner. "Maeve, I understand this I hard for you. I know you may not believe it but I am here to support you. I accept that the way I broke up with you was done in a wrong way. I am sorry; I also accept that you may not accept me back. Please, at least accept me as friend who wants to be there. Only if you want to."
It was silent between them, but Maeve was somehow grateful to Stephen. All he wanted was to support her in a difficult time. What they had was over, but that didn't mean they couldn't be on friendly terms. "Thank you, Stephen." She looked at him, and he then hugged her. Maeve was slightly surprised, but it was his way to show his care. She was going to hug him back but then noticed someone by the door. Treyton stood out of the room with a foam cup of tea. His eyes widened and were filled with sadness. "T-Treyton!? Please, this is not what it looks like!"
Treyton felt his heart rapidly beating when seeing Maeve in Stephen's arms. Stephen immediately let go of her and immediately stood. "Oh, I didn't see you there, um, Treyton. This isn't what it looks like. We-!" Before Stephen could explain, Treyton walked away, dropping the cup of tea.
Maeve felt distressed. She didn't want Treyton to believe that she betrayed him. "Treyton! Please-"
"Maeve...?" said a weak, groggy voice.
Maeve and Stephen flinched and looked where the voice came from.
Laoise finally opened her eyes.
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