Chapter 60

Cassie was sitting beside Ruth. “Mom, it's been months since I haven't heard your voice, I have been telling you my stories for a very long time without interruption. Now I want your feedback and your reaction to my every single sentence.”

Cassie was holding Ruth’s hand. “You know everybody asks about you at work and I am still the assistant no promotion yet even after a year and a half. But I smoothly manage between college and work. All thanks to Ryker and Daniel.”

Cassie added. “Daniel also offered me to join his Dad’s office when I’ll be in my junior year and…”

Her phone started to ring, Cassie picked up her phone and showed Ryker’s name flashing on her screen to Ruth. Cassie in these few months shared with Ruth about her love interest with Daniel, Ryker, Steven, and Peter. Every time she talks about her love life she expects her mom to sit up and start talking.

Cassie took a deep breath. “Ryker, for the umpteenth time I am not coming to your race. Daniel promised and he will come.”

Since Ryker came back into her life, he has been a completely changed person. Now Daniel and Ryker get along. Ryker stopped bullying and throwing fits at everyone. Cassie felt a deep sense of relief because she had brought these two brothers closer together.

Ryker ignored her in his excitement. “Congratulations, you keep the topper status this year as well.”

Cassie held Ruth’s hand tighter now and smiled. “And what about your arrogant ass friend?”

Ryker chuckled. “This year you both shared the status.”

Cassie was shocked. “How is that even possible?”

Ryker refrained answer her question. “You should be happy about your result rather get curious why Peter comes first as well.”

Cassie sighed. “I don’t know, in studies he gets on my nerves.”

Ryker asked. “Are you ready to join Daniel?”

Cassie giggled. “I have been dying to join him since he offered me the job.”

Ryker said. “You and Daniel left good impressions at the time of practice.”

Cassie corrected him. “It’s called internship not practice you, idiot.”

Ryker said something but Cassie couldn’t hear as Ruth’s machines started to beep speedily. Ryker heard the sound but was unable to do anything as he was standing at the race waiting for Daniel. Cassie abruptly ended the call and ran out to call the nurse. She was already coming in and started to check then she called the staff and doctor.

Ryker dialed Daniel’s number and he picked up. “How many times do I have to tell you that I am on my way.”

Ryker immediately responded. “Go to the hospital because I am also heading there.”

Daniel asked. “But what happened? Shouldn’t you be at the starting point because race is about to…”

Ryker interrupted him. “I was talking to Cassie and all of a sudden Ruth’s machines started to make loud noises. Cassie ended the call and after that, I continuously tried but she is not responding.”

Daniel nodded and asked Steven to change the route. Ryker asked. “What is he doing with you?”

Daniel while looking at the time. “Steven was coming to race.”

Ryker before ending the call. “Alright see you both soon in hospital.”

Everybody flooded the room, They surrounded the bed, blocking Cassie's view, but she could hear critical instructions and machinery being adjusted.

Cassie crushed herself against the wall. The room was buzzing with bustle, but she felt stuck in a nightmare, moving in slow motion.

"Clear!" someone shouted, and Cassie flinched as they shocked her mother's chest. The monitors screamed in protest, creating an eruption of sound that made her want to cover her ears and block out the world. Her gaze focused on the thin, flickering line on the screen that represented her mother's heartbeat. It spiked, flattened, and spiked again.

"Come on, come on…" Cassie muttered, her voice breaking. She pressed her eyes shut and prayed for a miracle.

After a few minutes of trying, the doctor stood back, his face pale and drawn. He looked at the time, then the nurses, and finally Cassie. He shook his head, making a little, disappointed gesture.
"No…" Cassie gasped as her legs gave way. She collapsed to the floor, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Daniel and Steven were first to reach the hospital and picked up Cassie from the floor. Later Ryker informed Peter about Ruth and he also came with her girlfriend to the hospital.

At the funeral when Cassie was reading her eulogy, Daniel and Ryker were standing with her in case she collapsed. Peter whispered to Steven. “When did you come?”

Steven responded. “The day Ruth passed away.”

Pete asked. “Due to your new arrangements with your son, it would be useless to ask if you can stay with Cassie for a while.”

Steven narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to worry about Cassie, we three make sure she is not alone.”

Peter swallowed his ego and smiled. “I am happy you guys are with her and sorry if I overstepped.”

Steven and Cassie were going through a rough patch due to a new revelation in his life since the day Cassie left his dorm, they never sat and talked but Steven was always there at the time she needed a shoulder along with Daniel and Ryker.

Peter immediately leaves after paying his respects to Cassie for Ruth. He wanted to stay with Cassie but he knew his presence would intensify her pain. He decided to stay away from her as much as he could. Peter wanted to apologize to her for always being a jerk to her. He wanted to embrace Cassie in his arms. He wanted to be part of her life just like his all three friends.

Peter knew it was not the right time to make amends for his past inhuman behavior. He was watching Cassie but every time their eyes met he immediately looked the other way. Peter started to regret his decision to maintain a distance from Cassie because it was way more difficult than he had expected.

When Cassie was on her way back home from the cemetery she asked Ryker and Daniel. “Can any of you stay with me for a while?”

Both nodded but didn’t say a word. Cassie still had tears and she was looking outside the car. When they reached home. Cassie’s eyes landed on a few bags lying on the floor and Steven was coming out of Ruth’s room.

Cassie asked. “What are you doing here? And what about these bags?”

Steven sighed and cupped her face. “I know it's been long since we haven’t talked but I just want to tell you I never stop loving you, and I’ll wait for the right time to talk about us, ” He kissed on her lips “And this is Ryker and Daniel’s stuff.”

Cassie looked at them. Daniel nodded. “We are not leaving you alone, Cass.”