The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 385

She wondered if Franco had secretly pushed Harris and Lauretta to get engaged. Hans watched Harris walk away, then said quietly, “Another heartbroken guy.”

***

After saying goodbye to Petty, Harris drove out toward the river bridge. It had rained so much in the last couple of days, the water was way higher than usual.

He eased the car onto the bridge and stopped halfway, the engine humming. For a second, he just sat there. Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. He’d bought it for Petty four years ago, back when everything was different. Four years ago, he thought he’d be the one to slip it on her finger. Now, he never would.

Harris just stared at the diamond, catching the sunlight, sparkling like her eyes always did. “Petty...” he whispered.

He pressed his lips to the ring, soft as a kiss to her eyelids, closing his eyes as the memories washed over him. His father on one side, Petty on the other. Franco had forced him to choose.

The tears came quietly, slipping down his face as he rolled down the window and let the ring fly from his hand. The instant he let go, panic crashed into him. He lunged out of the car, racing to the railing, desperate to see where the ring fell, his heart pounding in his chest.

He leaned over the edge, gripping the rail, searching the rushing, muddy water below. The diamond ring was gone, swallowed up, carried away by the river’s strong current.

***

By the time the nurses finished drawing Laura’s bone marrow, the sky was already turning pale with morning. Franco was getting ready to head back to Misty Vale, hoping Petty would be waking up soon.

Then his phone rang. The hospital. Cal was burning with a fever.

He didn’t waste a second. Franco rushed to the hospital, hurried through the disinfection routine, put on the protective gown, and strode into the ICU. The heavy door sealed behind him.

Inside the sterile box meant just for Cal, his son was being cradled between a doctor and a nurse, face fever-flushed and still crying, eyes closed tight in misery.

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