A Mother's Bond Chapter 2

I still felt uneasy.

"But Jacqueline is Ethan's grandmother... Should we really trust that old woman? She didn't ask for money, but what if she's after something else?"

Jasper thought it over. "It's Wednesday today. That's when my mom usually goes to see her cousin in the hospital. Let's follow her and see what's going on before we decide. We still have time."

Jasper drove me to the entrance of Central City Hospital. Ten minutes later, we saw his mother get out of a taxi and go to the inpatient wing immediately.

We followed her quietly. She clearly was familiar with the layout and went straight to a room in the special care unit.

Through the window in the door, I saw an elderly man lying with his eyes closed, hooked up to all kinds of medical equipment.

Jacqueline picked up a towel and began wiping and cleaning his body, murmuring as she worked. "I've found a way to save you. Just hold on a little longer. You'll be better soon. You'll be just like you were before..."

I bit my lip. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Jasper leaned against the wall and stood there in a daze for a long time.

Back in the car, he slumped over the steering wheel, his shoulders shaking fiercely. "So... My mom really is the one hurting Ethan. He's her grandson! How could she... I'm sorry, Lynn. I've let you and our son down."

I shook my head, still trembling uncontrollably. "Take me home. Hurry. I have to save Ethan."

At home, I rushed to the drawer and took out the candles. There were seven of them.

The old woman had said that if I burned one a day for seven days straight, the fragments of Ethan's soul that had been driven away would return.

This time, I didn't hesitate.

I placed a candle in the candle holder and bowed my head in reverence.

A thin stream of white smoke rose, swirled a few times, then drifted toward Ethan on the bed. Little by little, it slipped into his nostrils. "That smoke... It's like it's alive..."

A little frightened, I hesitantly reached out to put it out. Then I remembered the old woman's warning. "Once you light the candle, don't let it go out, or your son will die immediately."

My hand froze in midair. My nails dug into my palm, nearly breaking the skin. Sweat rolled down my forehead.

Jasper took my hand. "Don't panic. I'm here. I believe our son's going to get better."

I nodded and watched the candle without looking away until it burned out.

"Mommy..."