JUNE'S POV
"Don't you dare ask me to calm down!" Kathlyn's voice pierced through the hall, sending shivers down my spine.
"Ma'am, please, we have other patients here. I need you to lower your voice and compose yourself. We're doing everything we can to save him," the doctor tried to reassure her.
Arriving with Lolia, I scanned the scene, feeling a mix of confusion and worry. "What's happening, Bryan?" I inquired urgently.
Bryan met my eyes, his expression filled with fear and anguish. Kathlyn's sobs echoed in the room, while Lolia remained silent. I had directed Lily and Jason to the nursery, unaware of the gravity of the situation unfolding before me.
"Can someone just explain what's going on?" I demanded, my impatience creeping into my tone as I approached the doctor.
"What's happening to Miguel?" I pressed, my body trembling with a mix of emotions, surprised by my own composure amidst the chaos.
"He's losing a dangerous amount of blood. Without a donor, he won't make it," the doctor stated with a professional demeanor.
"Impossible! How can he be dying?" I questioned in disbelief, my mind reeling with the severity of the situation.
"Surely one of you is a match. Why hasn't anyone donated yet?" I asked, frustration and confusion evident in my voice. I couldn't comprehend the hesitation in saving Miguel's life since they were all his family.
"This is our family's hospital, June. Miguel's blood type is extremely rare, we discovered this years back due to a past accident. None of us matched. We had to call our father, who was miles away, as he was the only compatible donor and now our father is dead," Bryan revealed, shedding light on the dire circumstances.
It felt like time had frozen, each moment stretching into eternity. Panic gripped me, suffocating me in its grip, making every breath a struggle.
I was going to lose Miguel, that was the only thought that kept running in my head. I was grief stricken and my brain struggled to come up with a solution.
"Test me, I could be a match," I declared, tears streaming down my face, my distraught appearance forgotten in the urgency of the moment.
As all eyes snapped towards me, I locked gazes with the doctor, determination burning in my eyes.
"June, are you certain about this?" Lolia's voice cut through the tension, her concern palpable.
With a frantic nod, I signaled my readiness. Time was slipping away, each passing second was a heartbeat closer to losing Miguel.
"Come with me," the doctor's command spurred me into action, hope and fear warring within me. The unknown awaited, but I couldn't bear the thought of Miguel slipping away. I silently hoped and prayed I was a compatible match.
After a tense wait and a battery of tests, the doctor's words pierced the air, confirming my match. The preparations for the transfusion began, gratitude and anxiety swirling in the room.
Bryan's whispered gratitude and comforting squeeze grounded me as the medical procedures commenced, leading me into a hazy oblivion.
"Lily..." I found myself whispering before I was completely swallowed into oblivion.
In the haze of awakening, sunlight danced through the window, illuminating the room. Clad in a hospital gown, Lily's presence by my side brought a sense of peace, a small smile tugging at my lips.
As I shifted, careful not to disturb Lily, my gaze met Miguel's wide, grateful eyes. His infectious smile melted away the tension, easing my weary soul.
"Miguel! You're okay!" I exclaimed in a mix of relief and joy, my voice barely above a whisper as tears of happiness welled up in the corners of my eyes, shimmering in the dim hospital room.
"You saved my life, June, even after everything we've put you through. Thank you," Miguel expressed gratefully, a genuine smile lighting up his face as he extended his hand towards me. Without hesitation, I reached out, our hands meeting and intertwining, a silent bond of gratitude and love weaving between us.
In that moment, a surge of emotions washed over me, intensifying my feelings for Miguel, a mixture of gratitude, relief, and an unspoken connection that seemed to transcend words, momentarily choking me and causing a light cough to escape my lips.
"Are you okay?" Miguel inquired, his voice laced with concern as he observed my reaction, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.
"Yes," I managed to reply softly, our gaze locked in a silent exchange. I noticed the bandages still wrapped around his head and neck, his leg suspended in a cast, a stark reminder of the accident that had brought us to this moment of shared vulnerability.
"How long was I out for?" I asked, adjusting Lily beside me, her presence a comforting anchor in the whirlwind of emotions and questions swirling around us. She shifted in her sleep, letting out a deep sigh as she nestled closer to me, her rhythmic breathing was like a soothing backdrop to our conversation.
"I don't know, I'm just waking up myself," Miguel responded wearily, a hint of discomfort evident in his movements as he shifted to face me more directly, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and exhaustion.
"What really happened out there, Miguel?" I inquired, my eyes studying his face intently, searching for answers in the lines of pain and weariness etched on his features.
"I lost control of the steering wheel," Miguel confessed truthfully, his words hanging in the air, heavy with the weight of responsibility and regret. I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling deeply as I processed the gravity of his admission, the reality of the accident settling in with a heavy finality.
"June... I..." Miguel began, his voice trailing off as the sound of his family members entering the room provided a welcome distraction. Lily stirred in her sleep, snuggling closer to me, her soft snores were a comforting backdrop to the scene unfolding around us.
"Hey, you two lovebirds!" Lolia greeted with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, her smile lighting up the room as she gracefully planted a kiss on Miguel's cheek and then turned to me, her demeanor noticeably warmer and more trusting.
Bryan nonchalantly dropped the bouquet of vibrant flowers and the stack of cards on the table in the corner of the ward before strolling over to Miguel.
"Looks like you hit the jackpot, buddy!" Bryan remarked with a playful smirk, giving Miguel a gentle nudge on the shoulder.
"How are you feeling, Miguel?" Kathlyn inquired with a gentle expression, her concern evident in the softness of her features.
"I'm hanging in there," Miguel replied weakly, his voice tinged with exhaustion. His family gathered around him, forming a protective circle that left me feeling a pang of loneliness amidst their closeness. I turned to the other side, where Lily lay sleeping, finding solace in her peaceful presence.
"Thank you for saving my son's life," Kathlyn expressed her gratitude, catching me off guard with her unexpected appreciation, given our strained history.
I nodded in response, attempting to sit up. Lolia came to my aid, offering support as I adjusted my position, while Bryan engaged us in light-hearted banter, creating a brief moment of familial connection that warmed my heart.
Two weeks later, after a grueling amount of physiotherapy, Miguel received the medical clearance to return home. I had practically taken up residence in the hospital, ensuring his well-being, only leaving to attend to Lily's needs or prepare a meal.
I was grateful for the holidays that couldn't have come at a better time. I didn't know how I was going to navigate school, house and hospital.
"Ready?" Bryan inquired as he emerged from the ward, a soft glint in his eye. I was more than eager to leave the hospital and its memories behind. I nodded affirmatively, helping Miguel up as we headed to the car with Lily following closely.
"Just so you know, your mother and sister are planning a huge welcome party for you, so act surprised," Bryan teased Miguel like they weren’t also his mother and sister, eliciting a deep chuckle from him.
The drive home was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. I noticed Lily gazing out the window, watching the trees whiz by.
Upon arriving at the Lyon's residence, we assisted Miguel out of the car, his determination to get better evident as he used his walking stick for support.
"Welcome home!" Kathlyn and Lolia exclaimed with excitement.
Miguel, feigning surprise, responded, "Wow! You guys... you didn't have to," sharing a knowing glance with Bryan.
"She followed you too?" Kathlyn remarked disapprovingly, her tone icy. I remained silent, holding Lily close as she observed the adults.
"June and I are engaged, mother. The sooner you accept that, the better for all of us," Miguel defended, reaching out his hand for mine. I took it gladly, feeling his firm grip as he balanced on his walking stick.
"Come on, Lily, let's go play with Jason," Lolia suggested, trying to escape the tension.
"Mother, can we not discuss this now?" Bryan interjected, attempting to ease the brewing conflict between Kathlyn and Miguel.
Miguel gazed at his mother defiantly and was set for a family confrontation, emotions running high as unspoken tensions lingered in the air.
I was taken aback when Miguel confessed, “I am not ready to lose June.”
His words left me spellbound, my eyes locked on him with intense intrigue. As he drew me closer, a rush of emotions swept over me, unsure of how to interpret his confession without overthinking it.
Then, Kathlyn chimed in, insisting, “Son, you don't need June! Ashley has everything you want, and the Royale family are our biggest shareholders.”
Miguel's response was explosive, “I don't give a damn!”
His outburst caught me off guard, making me gently remind him of his recovery status and guide him to a seat, feeling his pulse quicken beneath my touch.
Despite my attempts to calm the situation, Kathlyn persisted, “Just call off the engagement already, Miguel!” That moment, something inside me snapped. “I apologize for what I’m about to do,” I whispered a quick apology to Miguel before rising to confront Kathlyn head-on.
In a surge of emotion, I exclaimed, “Enough! Enough of this nonsense!” My sudden outburst startled Kathlyn and Bryan, but I stood my ground. I couldn't tolerate Kathlyn's disrespect any longer. I was weary of her constant belittling and had reached my limit.
With my voice raised, I continued, “Do you have no iota of shame or self-respect, Kathlyn? Your son, Miguel, is recovering from a serious accident, and here you are fixated on marriage arrangements. What kind of mother are you? Couldn't you have waited until he had fully healed from his ordeal?” My words poured out, fueled by pent-up frustration.
I questioned her motives further, “Why the insistence on his marriage? You have two sons who should have the freedom to choose their own path. You have lived your life and you should let them live out their youthful exuberance.” I stood my ground, unwilling to back down. I rarely spoke up for myself but this time, I refused to be silenced.
I gazed at Bryan, his eyes widening in surprise. Kathlyn fell silent, then walked away, leaving a lingering tension in the air. As Bryan left the room, he winked and warmly smiled at me, a rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins.
Releasing a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, I braced myself for Miguel's reaction. To my astonishment, he beamed at me, his eyes filled with unexpected joy.
"I didn't mean to lose control like that," I admitted shyly, nervously cracking my knuckles as I awaited his response. But instead of anger, Miguel surprised me by saying, “I don’t think I have seen anyone silence my mother so respectfully. She won’t be bothering you for a while that’s for sure.”
“You’re not mad?” I queried and he grunted as he struggled to get up. Helping him up as he steadied himself on his walking stick, I felt a mix of relief and uncertainty.
“Not at all! I am glad you stood your ground,” His reassurance that he wasn't upset and his appreciation for my defense against Kathlyn left me both surprised and relieved.
He planted a soft kiss on my temple and sniffed in the scent of my hair. Just as a sense of calm settled between us, a voice interrupted our moment, causing us to snap our attention towards the unexpected arrival, “Am I interrupting?”
"Ashley?"