Chapter 26

Cassie pasted a fake smile on her face before opening the door to her house. When she didn’t find her mom in the kitchen or the back garden her gut feeling said something was wrong. She switched on her phone, dialed her mom, and rushed into her room as her phone was ringing. She saw her mom was in bed.

Cassie didn’t check her room because she never sleeps out of her routine’s eight hours. Cassie immediately turned on the light and dashed to the bed. She nudged her mom and Ruth woke up. “When did you come?”

Cassie switched off her phone again. "I just returned, but could you tell me if you came back from work early or you didn't go in today?"

Ruth sat up. "I returned early because I was having back pain, but I didn't plan on sleeping. I just wanted to close my eyes for a little while, but I'm not sure how I dozed off."

Cassie forgot all her problems and raised her hands in the air. “That’s it we are going to the hospital.”

Cassie completely overlooked why she came back home early and rushed to her mom’s closet and handed her clothes to change. “Come on hurry up.”

Ruth stood up. “There is no need to go because now I am feeling fine.”

Cassie took a deep breath. “Mom this is not up for discussion,” she kept her clothes aside “If don’t want to change then I’ll have no problem taking you to the hospital in your jammies.”

Ruth rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “No way in jammies.”

Cassie handed her clothes and walked out of the room. After thirty minutes of travel by bus, they reached the hospital. Cassie was sitting in the doctor's office next to Ruth. With a concerned look on her face, Dr. Ellis, in her late forties, reviewed Ruth's record. With a gentle squeeze, Cassie supported her mother silently.

Dr. Ellis started writing on her prescription pad, "Mrs. Reed, based on your symptoms and the history you've provided, I'd like to prescribe you some medication to help manage your immediate pain," Ruth accepted the slip from her with a nod of gratitude.

Ruth said, "Thank you, Dr. Ellis."

Dr. Ellis had a serious look as she sat back in her chair. "I also want to do some testing to see if arthritis is present. It's critical to rule out any underlying issues in light of your symptoms and the past accident you mentioned."

A knot formed in Cassie's throat when the accident was brought up. The fact that her father, Dane Reed, had not survived that night remained fresh in her memories. She cast a glance at her mother, whose eyes were closed, engrossed in the same excruciating memory.

Cassie slowly nodded. "Doctor, I get it. Which tests are we referring to here?"

"We'll start with some blood tests to check for inflammation markers," said Dr. Ellis, "To acquire a better understanding of the condition of your spine, I also advise getting X-rays and perhaps an MRI."

"How soon can we get these tests done?" Cassie asked.

"I'll put in the orders today," Dr. Ellis replied. "You should be able to schedule them within the week. We must get to the bottom of this so we can create an effective treatment plan."

Cassie and Ruth came back and Cassie made dinner for both. while serving Cassie said. “Mom, I was thinking why don’t you take a break for some days from your job.”

Ruth looked at her. “What are you saying?”

Cassie sat next to her. “Yeah until you get your all tests done why don’t you stay at home and rest.”

Ruth shook her head. “This is not possible my all paid leaves have finished for this year.”

Cassie responded. “Then leave the damn job.”

Ruth raised her brow. “Language Cassie.”

Cassie put down her spoon. “I am serious mom leave the job.”

Ruth sighed. “And then who is going to pay our bills and how we are going to buy groceries?”

Cassie resumed eating. “I am going to do a job.”

Ruth pointed a finger at her. “Don’t you dare to think about it? You have already done enough Cassie, after your dad you never asked for anything extravagant like other kids even though you worked so hard to get the scholarship. Now don’t snatch this responsibility from me else I won’t be able to sleep in peace ever.”

Cassie looked at her mom. “It’s not like I am going to give you any big favor or something. I am nineteen and it’s very normal to start a job at this age.”

Ruth asked. “How you are going to manage your scholarship with a job?”

Cassie picked up a glass of water. “Don’t worry I’ll manage.”

Ruth looked down at her plate. “I don’t want you to lose your scholarship to finance our lives. I don’t want to overburden you.”

Cassie after drinking water. “Mom, just relax let me find a job first.”

Ruth nodded. “But promise me if things go south so you’ll quit the job.”

Cassie nodded and then they finished up the dinner and did the dishes together. Cassie came to her room after giving medicine to her mom. The moment she shut the door her tears streamed down her cheeks. Cassie didn’t know why she was crying because of her heartbreak or because of the fear of losing her mom.

She turned on her phone and was notified of texts and calls from Steven and Daniel. Cassie covered her mouth and cried harder because her concern, which had arisen after being tricked by Ryker, that Steven and Daniel were similarly cruel to her, began to fade away.

Cassie rushed to the bathroom and under the shower, she cried so that her mom couldn’t hear due to running water. When her head and eyes started to get heavy because of excessive crying she closed her eyes and dozed off with traumatic flashbacks of the day.