#Chapter 44 Turmoil

Mia “I—I don’t know what to say,” I finally murmured, my voice barely audible. "I need time to sort out my own feelings.” I glanced up at him, trying to gauge his reaction. Did he want me to leave? Stay? Neither? I couldn't tell. He nodded. “Take your time,” I said softly. “You don’t need to decide right away. Just know that the choice is yours, and I’ll support whatever you decide.” With that, I turned my attention back to Mom, watching over her as she slept. I hoped that maybe later it would be easier to make a decision, but I wasn't confident that it would be. Just the offer felt like someone had snatched the rug out from under me again. As the hours passed, the uncertainty between us lingered. My thoughts were a tangled mess of confusion and relief. Albert's offer lingered in my mind. "Do you think you could tell me what happened?" Albert’s eyes were intense, studying me with a mixture of concern and frustration. “I understand you’re overwhelmed, but I need to know wha