That’s what life was like with Addi. She pulled you in. Made you care about her. The light that seemed to shine from inside her even in the darkest times became the most important thing.

At least for me.

“Let’s let her get some rest,” I said and wrapped my arm around Addi’s shoulders. She leaned into me, something so small, but it had pride soaring through me. “The nurses will take care of her, and I’m sure someone can keep her company in the meantime.”

Addi didn’t need to be her mother’s caretaker. Not now. Not after what she said.

I felt for the woman. She obviously went through a lot. But I still couldn’t get over how she had treated her daughter this way. How she had ruined their lives.

At the end of it all, though, I blamed myself.

I wasn’t thorough enough. I didn’t check in on them as much as I should have.

I thought distancing myself was for the best, but now I was starting to realize it was possibly the worst decision I could have made.

I had grown since I first started this venture. I thought more about the families and employees now, making sure they were protected even after shit hit the fan.

If there was anything this time with Addi taught me, it was that even after years of experience, I had so much to learn and even more to make up for.

Addi froze, her head raising. Panic flashed across her face.

“I don’t think she wants anyone to see her like this. Maybe I should stay⁠—”

“We will keep her company,” the doctor said, a caring smile spreading across his face. “She will likely need a lot more sleep anyway. Contrary to popular belief, you still wake up tired. If she needs anything, we’ll call you.”

His words were enough for Addi to relax just enough to lean back into my touch. My heart constricted in my chest.

I didn’t want Addi to feel this way.

I didn’t want her to have to deal with the burden of keeping her mom happy. Of making sure she didn’t blow through whatever cash she could find.

It wasn’t a child’s job to take care of the parents. The child deserved to be taken care of. To be loved. To be cherished.

The more time I spent with Addi, the more I realized she was severely lacking all three of those things.

And the guilt came rushing through again.

* * *

Addi pushed me back onto the living room sofa, her delicate hands coming to feel up my chest and shoulders.