The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 92

Chapter 92

+25 BONUS

Chapter 92

Ella

“You don’t have to fuss over me like this,” I protested as Lilith tucked another pillow behind my back. “I’m not dying.”

Not yet, anyway. Technically. Sort of. Maybe that wasn’t the best way to put it.

Lilith had arrived bright and early with a suitcase full of my things-clothes, books, my favorite blanket from home, even my vanilla-scented hand lotion. She’d been buzzing around my hospital room all morning, adjusting the blinds, organizing the nightstand, and making sure I would be comfortable for my stay.

“Nonsense,” she said, smoothing down the blanket. “You need someone looking after you properly.”

“The nurses are doing just fine.”

Lilith scoffed. “Those nurses have twenty other patients. You need someone whose sole focus is you.”

Before I could argue further, she pulled out a container from the bag she’d brought. “I made your favorite,” she said, popping off the lid to reveal homemade chicken soup. The scent immediately made my mouth water. “It’s still warm.”

My stomach growled in response. The hospital breakfast had been bland and unappetizing, and Lilith always made the best chicken noodle soup when I wasn’t feeling well.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I muttered.

“I wanted to.” Lilith poured some into a bowl and pulled up a chair beside my bed. Then, to my surprise, she dipped a spoon into the soup and held it out to me. “Open up.”

I blinked. “I can feed myself, you know.”

“Humor an old woman, won’t you?”

Feeling ridiculous but too touched to refuse, I opened my mouth and let Lilith feed me the soup. It was delicious, as always-rich and hearty with just the right amount of herbs and spices.

“Good?” Lilith asked, already dipping the spoon for another bite.

I nodded, swallowing, “Yes. But why are you doing all this? You’re treating me like I’m… Your daughter.”

Lilith’s shoulders tensed, and for a moment, she was silent. She had never mentioned having children of her own, but whenever I asked, she would always change the subject. After a while, I had learned not to bring it up, thinking that shed perhaps had a bad experience in her past.

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Chapter 92

+25 BONUS

I thought I had hurt her by bringing it up now, but just as I was opening my mouth to apologize, she said, “You are like a daughter to me, Ella. And I worry about you. I saw how your parents treated you at that party. I’ve seen how you were raised. You never had a mother who doted on you or made sure you had what you needed. Your parents haven’t even come to check on you since you got here!”

I winced. When she put it like that…

“I just want to give you the love and attention you deserve,” she murmured.

Something warm and tender blossomed in my chest at her words. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. No one had ever put my needs first, had ever made me feel like I was worth the effort.

“Thank you,” I whispered, suddenly fighting back tears. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s just… new.”

Lilith smiled and picked up the spoon again. “Well, get used to it. Now, more soup?”

I nodded, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. As she continued to feed me, small spoonful by small spoonful, I realized that this was what having a mother was supposed to feel like. Someone who took care of you. Someone who put your needs above their own. Someone who loved you unconditionally.

If I had to die, at least I had experienced this. At least I wouldn’t die without knowing what it felt like to be loved like this.

“I could die happy if you were by my side.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Lilith’s hand froze. “You’re not going to die, Ella” she said firmly. “I won’t let that happen.”

“But the doctor said-”

“I know what the doctor said. But there are options, solutions-”

The door swung open, cutting her off. Liam walked in with a bouquet of daisies in hand.

“How’s the patient today?” he asked. His smile faded as he took in our serious expressions. ” Did I interrupt something?”

“Just girl talk,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Are those for me?”

Liam nodded and set the daisies on the table next to Alexander’s cherry blossoms. “Thought your room could use some color. Who brought these?”

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