Chapter 6

When Tessa woke up again, Clifford was right by her bedside, his eyes bloodshot and terrifyingly red. He clutched her hand as he shakily said, "Tessa, I swear I didn't know that there'd be an avalanche… I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry…" His fingertips were icy cold, but his palm was drenched in sweat, as if he were terrified she might disappear. "You can hit me, yell at me, or whatever you want…" The ward door burst open. Tania rushed in, her eyes swollen and red. "Mrs. Jones, this was all my fault. Please don't blame Mr. Jones…" She was crying like her world had just fallen apart. "You don't know how nervous he was because of you. When he heard about the avalanche, he completely lost it. He ran in to find you and didn't even think about his own safety. He's still covered in injuries—" "That's enough!" Clifford cut her off and pulled her into his arms. "This has nothing to do with you. The doctor said that crying isn't good for the baby." Tessa watched them, then burst out laughing. S