BRYCE
I walked into the financial aid office with the scholarship letter folded in my hand.
Hadn't slept much. Spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, turning it over and over in my head.
Then I'd called Mom.
Told her about the scholarship. About the medical coverage included. Heard her voice break.
"Are you sure, baby? You don't have to—"
"I'm sure, Mom. You need treatment. This covers it."
"But if it's from that Alpha girl—"
"It's anonymous. And even if it's not, your health matters more than my pride."
She'd cried. Happy tears, relieved tears. Told me she loved me about fifteen times before we hung up.
That's when I'd made my decision.
For Mom. Not for Sloane.
I kept telling myself that.
The counselor looked up when I walked in. "Mr. Carter. Have you decided?"
"I'm accepting."
She beamed. Actually beamed like I'd just made her whole week. "Wonderful! Let me get the paperwork started."
While she shuffled through files, my phone buzzed.
