Chapter 215

• Claire's pov
• I sat at the edge of the hospital bed, my hands trembling as I reached for hers. Her skin was pale, far too pale, almost translucent against the white sheets. My throat felt tight as I forced a smile, my lips quivering with the weight of emotions I couldn’t contain.
• “Mom…” The word slipped out before I could stop it, and the shock of it nearly broke me. My chest constricted, tears stung my eyes, but I pressed on. “I—I don’t even know if I’m allowed to call you that yet. It feels wrong and right all at once. But I want to try. I want to… for you.”