Chapter 22 The Cost of Care

***Hazel***

“My mother fell,” I say. Straight to the point. “During a transfer.”

He doesn’t react.

“How bad?” he asks.

“She’s fine,” I say quickly. “Shaken. No fractures. She keeps asking for me.”

Gideon’s gaze doesn’t leave my face. “And you stayed.”

“Yes.”

Not defensive. Not proud.

Just fact.

“They asked when you were coming,” he says.

I nod. “I’m going tonight.”

Another pause.

“You didn’t leave