Chapter 37: Return to Grandma's House

Ursula's scream cut through the silence of the dark room. She sat up, gasping, her skin clammy with sweat. Beside her, Adam slept on, blissfully unaware.

Outside, the world was still shrouded in darkness. Ursula, with no desire to sleep, watched over Adam, finding peace in his calm expression.

After Adam's final IV, they left the hospital around ten. Ursula took him to Grandma's, where they shared a meal, and Adam's lively chatter about the zoo visit brought smiles to everyone.

Grandma, her silver hair was glowing, listened to every word with a sparkle in her eyes, while Ursula cleaned the house, a ritual that brought her a quiet sense of order.

"Adam, stay with Grandma. I'll get dinner started," Ursula announced, taking charge in the kitchen as usual.

Grandma, knowing Ursula's independent streak, didn't say anything anymore.

"I got it, Mom." Adam replied, his voice clear as a bell.

Ursula smiled to herself, working the old wood stove with practiced hands, dismissing thoughts of upgrading to gas for safety reasons.

Dinner was a cozy affair, and afterward, Adam retreated to his room, a personal haven filled with books and toys from Ursula.

As they cleaned up, Grandma voiced her concerns about Adam's surgery and Ursula's future. Ursula reassured her, insisting she had everything under control, even as Grandma lamented the hardships of single motherhood and the absence of Ursula's parents.

Ursula, fighting back tears, promised to take care of them both, and Grandma, though not convinced, accepted Ursula's optimism.

The conversation turned to marriage, and Grandma's worry that Ursula and Adam needed more than just each other. Ursula joked about finding a father for Adam, but her focus just wasn’t there.

After cleaning up, Ursula handed Grandma some money, insisting she accept it despite her protests. Adam watched, sensing Ursula's impending departure, his little body tensing with the unspoken wish to stay with her.

"Adam, don't you want to stay with Mommy?" Ursula asked, squatting down to meet his gaze, seeing the struggle in his eyes.

Adam was fighting back tears, and was seeking reassurance. Ursula promised to bring him to the city, sealing it with a pinky swear.

Grandma turned away, her own eyes filling with tears, as Ursula left under their heavy gazes.

Back at work, Ursula was swept up in the summer rush. Dylan arrived with Matthew and Timothy in tow, causing a stir.

"Ursula, we're here to get you," Dylan said playfully, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Why are you all here?" Ursula asked, her gaze skipping over Matthew to settle on Timothy.

"It just happened," Timothy replied, moving past Matthew to check on Ursula, his touch on her forehead was gentle and caring.

Dylan threw a barb at Matthew about Ursula's health, but Matthew's response was dismissive. Timothy stepped in, protective, and Matthew's icy demeanor only intensified.

The tension was palpable, with Ursula caught in the middle. Dylan broke the moment, reminding them of the night's cocktail party.

Ursula, hesitant to attend, looked to Timothy for guidance. He agreed, and Ursula followed suit.

Matthew left with Dylan, his feelings were complex, while Timothy offered Ursula a gentle escape from the awkwardness.

Back at her apartment, Ursula prepared for the evening, selecting a black dress from the array of clothing Matthew had given her, a reminder of her gilded cage.

Timothy's call came, and Ursula, feeling a sudden need for distance, declined his offer to come up.

"Alright," Timothy agreed, sounded disappointed.