36. Summer
36
SUMMER
T he phone call came just after breakfast, Ava still asleep in her hospital bed, her little hand clutching Bunny tightly. I was standing by the window, staring out at the parking lot, trying to steady my nerves when my phone buzzed.
“This is Summer Bowen,” I answered, my voice quiet to avoid waking Ava.
“Ms. Bowen, this is Danielle McAllister from the Pearson Foundation.” The voice on the other end was clipped, professional, and cold.
My stomach dropped. “Oh, hi. Is everything okay?”
“No, Ms. Bowen,” she said flatly. “I’m calling to inform you that the foundation will no longer be able to provide financial support for your daughter’s medical expenses.”
The words hit me like a brick. “What?”
“We’ve received information indicating that there was significant misrepresentation on your application,” Danielle continued. “Specifically regarding your relationship with Dr. Enzo Pearson and his involvement in your daughter’s life.”
I felt the air leave my lungs. “I—I can explain?—”
“I’m afraid the decision is final,” she interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We’ll be sending you formal documentation confirming the termination of your funding.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
My hands shook as I lowered the phone, my thoughts racing. Misrepresentation. That word rang in my ears, cutting through the numbness that was threatening to overtake me.
They knew. Someone had told them everything—the fake relationship, the delayed paternity reveal. And now, Ava’s lifeline was gone.
“Summer?” Enzo’s voice pulled me from my spiral.
I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his brow furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“The foundation,” I said, my voice cracking. “They’re pulling out. They said we lied—about everything.”
His expression darkened, and he crossed the room in two long strides, his hands resting gently on my arms. “What do you mean they’re pulling out?”
“They said they can’t support us anymore because of ‘misrepresentation,’” I said, tears spilling over. “Enzo, what are we going to do? How are we going to pay for Ava’s surgery?”
He pulled me into a hug, his voice steady in my ear. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”
“But what about your reputation?” I asked, pulling back to look at him. “If this gets out, people will say you used your position to manipulate the system. It could ruin your career.”
“I don’t care about that,” he said firmly, his dark eyes locked onto mine. “The only thing that matters is Ava.”
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Enzo’s phone vibrating on the counter. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.
“It’s the hospital board,” he said, answering the call.
I stood frozen, listening to his side of the conversation.
“Yes, I’m aware of the situation,” he said calmly. “No, I didn’t personally oversee the application process, but I’ll take full responsibility for any misunderstandings.”
There was a pause, and his shoulders tensed. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll follow up shortly.”
When he hung up, he turned to me, his expression grim. “The board knows. They’re concerned about how this could affect the hospital’s reputation.”
My stomach churned. “This is all my fault,” I whispered.
“No, it’s not,” he said sharply. “You did what you had to do for Ava. That’s all that matters.”
The day only got worse from there. By lunchtime, whispers of the foundation’s decision had reached the hospital staff. A journalist showed up in the lobby, asking questions about the situation, and a few nurses exchanged looks as I passed them in the hallway.
By the time I returned to Ava’s room, my hands were trembling, and my heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.
“Mommy?” Ava’s small voice pulled me back to reality.
I turned to see her sitting up in bed, her wide blue eyes filled with worry. “Why are you crying?”
I wiped at my face quickly, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing, sweetheart. Mommy’s just tired.”
“Is Bunny going to have surgery soon too?” she asked, holding up her stuffed companion.
“No, baby,” I said, sitting beside her and brushing a curl from her face. “Just you. But Daddy and I will be with you the whole time.”
She nodded, her small hand reaching for mine. “Okay.”
After Ava fell asleep, Enzo came back into the room, his face set in a determined expression.
“We need to talk,” he said, pulling a chair close to mine.
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
“You don’t need to worry about the money,” he said firmly.
“What?” I asked, blinking at him.
“I can cover the costs,” he said. “I’ve been saving for years, and I have more than enough to make sure Ava gets the best care possible.”
“Enzo…” I shook my head. “I can’t let you?—”
“You can and you will,” he said, cutting me off. “I didn’t offer before because I knew you’d refuse. That’s why I thought the foundation was the better option. But I won’t let you carry this alone.”
Tears streamed down my face, guilt clawing at my chest. “But your reputation?—”
“I don’t care about my reputation,” he said, his voice softening. “Summer, none of that matters. Ava matters. You matter.”
His words broke something inside me, and I collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “For everything—for lying, for dragging you into this?—”
“Stop,” he said gently, holding me tightly. “You’ve done everything right. You’re a mom fighting for her child, and there’s nothing to apologize for.”
I nodded against his chest, his steady heartbeat grounding me.
“We’ll get through this,” he said, his voice full of conviction. “Together.”