Chapter 190
In Chapter 115 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the protagonist, Savannah, receives devastating news about her mother’s diagnosis of leukemia. The mention of “cancer” feels surreal and overwhelming, plunging Savannah into a state of shock and disbelief. She struggles to process the information, feeling as though she is submerged underwater, with time slowing down and the world around her fading into insignificance. The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on her, and she grapples with the reality that her mother is seriously ill.
As the conversation unfolds, Savannah’s emotions spiral into despair and guilt. The realization that her mother’s previous fatigue and demeanor were signals of a deeper issue hits her hard. She reflects on her own perceived negligence and selfishness, feeling like a terrible daughter for not recognizing her mother’s suffering sooner. Tears flow freely as she confronts her feelings of inadequacy, and the emotional turmoil is palpable as she struggles with the burden of guilt that threatens to consume her.
Dean, a supportive presence, tries to comfort Savannah, reminding her that she is not alone in this ordeal. However, Savannah’s anger and frustration surface, and she lashes out, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her emotions and the fear of facing her mother. Despite Dean’s reassurances, Savannah feels trapped in her guilt, believing that she should have been more attuned to her mother’s needs. This internal conflict creates a chasm between her and Dean, as she battles with the harsh reality of her relationship with her mother.
The chapter culminates in a heartbreaking moment when Dean reveals that Savannah’s mother wants to see her one last time. He presents her with a letter from her mother, a tangible connection that carries the weight of unspoken words and emotions. The request is both a glimmer of hope and a crushing reminder of the impending loss. Savannah’s anguish deepens as she grapples with the reality of her mother’s condition and the urgency of reconnecting before it’s too late. The chapter leaves readers with a sense of impending tragedy, underscoring the themes of love, regret, and the complexities of familial relationships in the face of illness.
**Chapter 115: I Need To See My Mother p>
“Cancer p>
The word hung in the air, heavy and unforgiving, like a stone plummeting into the depths of a well. It reverberated within me, sending shockwaves through my chest, squeezing the breath from my lungs. My ears buzzed, drowning out the world around me. This couldn’t be happening. It felt unreal, as if Dean had uttered a foreign phrase, one that my mind, despite its fluency, refused to comprehend.
I was submerged in a disorienting silence, as if I had been plunged underwater. Time slowed to a crawl, and everything around me faded into a muted blur. Dean’s lips moved, but all I could focus on was that solitary word echoing in my mind: cancer.
No.
Not her.
Not my mother.
“She can’t—” My voice faltered, choked by the weight of dread. I shook my head fiercely, as if my frantic motions could somehow reverse the reality of his words. “No. You’re wrong. That’s not p>
Dean’s gaze fell to the floor, his expression heavy with a sorrow that felt more crushing than his words. “Unfortunately, yes.” His voice wavered, tinged with an emotion I couldn’t bear to identify. “When the news about Chloe’s abandoned car broke, she collapsed. They rushed her to the hospital. That’s when they discovered it. Leukaemia p>
Leukaemia.
The mere sound of it turned my stomach into a tight knot, as if it were a physical entity coiling within me. I felt nauseous, the kind of sickness that rises with a force that threatens to spill over.
Tears began to stream down my cheeks, hot and relentless, blurring my vision. I hadn’t realized I was crying until the warmth of my grief became undeniable. They came in waves, the kind that made my chest ache and my throat constrict painfully.
Suddenly, everything fell into place in a cruel, twisted way. Her fatigue. The way she moved with a sluggishness I had mistaken for disappointment in me. The shadows that lingered beneath her eyes, dark and heavy.
“Oh my God.” My hand flew to my mouth, stifling a scream that threatened to erupt. My chest heaved with the weight of guilt and despair. “Oh my God, I’m such a terrible person p>
Dean was there, his arms wrapping around me with a strength that felt like an anchor in the storm of my emotions. He pulled me close, and I felt the fabric of his shirt absorb my tears, his palm gently rubbing circles on my arm, trying to soothe the chaos within me.
“Sav…” His voice was thick with emotion as he held me tightly. “You don’t have to go through this alone p>
But his calmness felt like a sharp blade, cutting through my turmoil. I pushed him away, a surge of anger rising within me. “You don’t understand! How am I supposed to face her now? I wasn’t there when she needed me, I—” My words disintegrated into a series of choked sobs, each one a reminder of my failure.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Dean murmured softly, his voice warm against my hair. “You didn’t know p>
Those words only deepened the chasm of guilt inside me. I pulled away from his embrace, the air between us crackling with tension. “That’s the problem, Dean! I should have known! She’s my mother. A good daughter would have seen through the act.” My voice broke, raw and desperate. “But me? I was too caught up in my own anger, my own selfishness p>
“Savannah.” He grasped my wrist, his grip firm yet gentle. “No one is blaming you. Not her, not anyone. You can’t carry this burden alone. It’s not your fault p>
But his words slid off me like water off a duck’s back. The guilt had already etched itself into my very being. I pressed my hands to my head, rocking back and forth as sobs wracked my body, each one a reminder of every call I had ignored, every eye-roll I had thrown her way, every moment of indifference that now felt like a cruel punishment.
“My mum’s going to die, isn’t she?” My voice was barely a whisper, broken and fragile, but the silence that followed was deafening, louder than any answer could ever be.
Dean’s jaw tightened, and he averted his gaze. His refusal to meet my eyes was confirmation enough.
A sob tore itself from my throat, so raw it felt like it scraped the very depths of my lungs. “Oh, God.” My stomach twisted violently, bile rising in my throat as I stumbled backward, covering my mouth in a futile attempt to contain my anguish.
This time, Dean didn’t reach for me. Perhaps he sensed that I might lash out if he did. When he finally spoke again, his voice was low, almost reverent. “Savannah p>
My heart stuttered in my chest.
“She wants to see you,” he continued, reaching into his jacket. He pulled out a folded envelope and pressed it into my trembling hands. “She gave me this. She said… if you’d read it, maybe you’d come.” His voice cracked, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. “She hopes to see you one more time before—” He couldn’t finish the thought, and the silence that followed filled the space with an unbearable weight.
As the reality of my mother’s illness settled like a dark cloud over my heart, the emotional turmoil within me began to transform. The initial shock and guilt morphed into a desperate longing to reconnect, to bridge the chasm that had grown between us. I stood on the precipice of a choice—one that demanded courage I wasn’t sure I possessed. The envelope in my hands felt like a lifeline, a fragile thread connecting me to her. I could see her face in my mind, the warmth of her smile, the way her laughter used to fill the room. I realized that I needed to confront my fears, not just for myself, but for her. The thought of her fading away without knowing how much I loved her was unbearable.
With Dean’s words echoing in my ears, I felt the weight of my guilt begin to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope. I understood that while I couldn’t change the past, I had the power to shape the present. My mother wanted to see me, to share what little time we had left together. In that moment, I resolved to set aside my anger and regret. I would face her, not as the daughter who had turned away, but as the daughter who was ready to embrace love and forgiveness, both for her and for myself. As I prepared to take that step forward, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me, igniting a new determination to cherish the time we had left, to mend what was broken, and to honor the bond that would always exist between us.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
As the echoes of heartbreak linger, the next chapter promises to plunge Savannah deeper into the tumult of her emotions. With the revelation of her mother’s illness looming overhead like a storm cloud, readers can anticipate a profound exploration of familial bonds and the weight of unspoken regrets. Savannah’s journey towards reconciliation will be fraught with inner turmoil as she grapples with guilt and the desperate need for connection. Will she find the courage to confront her mother, or will fear and sorrow keep her at bay? The envelope Dean handed her serves as a harbinger of hope, but it also raises the stakes—what words could possibly bridge the chasm created by her previous indifference?
In the unfolding pages, the narrative is set to shift between the suffocating reality of her mother’s condition and the memories that haunt Savannah’s mind. Expect poignant flashbacks that reveal the complexity of their relationship, illuminating both the love and misunderstandings that have shaped their lives. As Savannah stands on the precipice of decision, the chapter will tease out the tension between holding onto the past and embracing the possibility of healing. The emotional stakes are higher than ever, and with each turn of the page, readers will be left breathless, wondering if Savannah can overcome her fears and step into the light of forgiveness before it’s too late.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.