Chapter 5

The Great Escape

The next few days were a whirlwind of work, mind-reading mishaps, and Lila’s endless energy. Kory was starting to think her life was a bizarre mix of a sitcom and a psychological thriller. Between hearing people's thoughts—both helpful and hilariously awkward—and juggling her new life as an impromptu mom - she barely had time to catch her breath.

One morning, after dropping Lila off at daycare, Kory made her way to the small hospital where she volunteered. The routine was comforting, in a way, but today, her mind was buzzing with too many thoughts. Her own thoughts, for once.

As she walked down the hallway, she passed Dr. Patel, the friendly paediatrician who always waved at her. Today, though, she caught his thoughts as clear as day: I should really ask Kory out for coffee sometime. She’s cute. Wonder if she’s single…

Kory almost tripped over her own feet. Why does this keep happening?! She groaned internally. The last thing she needed was another awkward conversation about accidentally hearing someone's inner monologue.

But Dr. Patel didn’t say anything. He just smiled and gave her a nod as he walked past. Kory managed a weak smile in return and power-walked her way to the staff lounge.

Okay, she thought, sitting down with a cup of coffee. I can’t keep freaking out every time this happens. This is my life now. I can hear people’s thoughts, and I just have to deal with it.

Taking a deep breath, she sipped her coffee and stared at the clock, mentally preparing herself for the day ahead. But just as she was starting to feel calm, she heard a tiny, familiar voice in her head. Mama?

Kory blinked, nearly spilling her coffee. “What the—?”

Where are you, Mama? Lila’s voice was crystal clear, and it sounded like she was right next to Kory.

Kory jumped out of her seat, her heart racing. “Lila?” she whispered, looking around the empty lounge.

She quickly pulled out her phone, dialling the daycare. After a few rings, a cheery voice picked up on the other end.

“Little Explorers Daycare, how can I help you?”

“Hi, this is Kory. I just dropped off Lila Rivers… is she okay?”

“Oh, yes, she’s doing great! She is playing with the other kids right now.”

Kory breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, just checking.”

She hung up, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Was she… was she hearing Lila’s thoughts from miles away? Was the mind-reading ability expanding? And why was Lila suddenly calling her “Mama”?

Oh no, Kory thought, her eyes widening. She thinks I’m her mom now.

She sat back down, her head spinning. Sure, she’d been taking care of Lila for a while now, but hearing the little girl call her “Mama” hit her like a ton of bricks. The weight of the situation settled heavily on her chest. Adrian was still in a coma, and she was playing this role without a clue of when—or if—he would ever wake up.

I can’t keep doing this forever, she thought, sipping her coffee again, trying to calm her nerves. But deep down, she wasn’t sure she wanted to stop. Lila had wormed her way into her heart, and the idea of not being there for her was unbearable.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a nurse popping into the lounge. “Kory? Someone dropped this off for you.”

Kory looked up, confused. “For me?” She hadn’t ordered anything.

The nurse handed her a small bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in brown paper. Kory blinked, taking them cautiously. “Uh, thanks?”

As soon as the nurse left, Kory pulled out the tiny card tucked into the flowers. It simply read: For the wonderful woman who’s taking care of my daughter.

Her heart skipped a beat. Adrian. Somehow, he was still finding ways to communicate with her. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. He always had perfect timing, even from his coma.

Just as she was about to set the flowers down, she heard Adrian’s voice in her head again. So… about that coffee date with Dr. Patel?

Kory nearly spit out her coffee. “Oh my god, Adrian, seriously?” she whispered, her face turning red.

What? He seems nice, Adrian teased, his voice light.

“I’m not dating the pediatrician,” she muttered under her breath, feeling ridiculous. “Besides, I’m a little busy raising your daughter, remember?”

Adrian’s tone softened. I know. And I appreciate everything you’re doing, Kory. More than you can imagine.

Kory’s heart squeezed at his words. She quickly shoved the card and the flowers into her bag, trying to shake off the emotions welling up inside her. “You’re lucky you’re in a coma,” she muttered. “Otherwise, we’d have a serious conversation about setting me up with random doctors.”

Deal, Adrian’s voice said with a chuckle. But only if you promise to take care of yourself, too.

Kory rolled her eyes, but deep down, the warmth in her chest wouldn’t go away. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just focus on waking up already.”

Working on it, Adrian replied. In the meantime, maybe think about that coffee. You deserve to have a little fun.

Kory groaned. This man was impossible—even in his current state.

But as she went about the rest of her shift, she couldn’t stop thinking about what Adrian had said. Maybe he was right. Maybe she did deserve a little fun. And maybe—just maybe—things weren’t as hopeless as they seemed.

Later that afternoon, after picking up Lila from daycare, Kory found herself at the local park, letting the little girl run around and tire herself out. Lila, with her boundless energy, was on the swings, giggling as she pumped her legs to go higher.

Kory sat on a bench, watching her, a soft smile on her face. She couldn’t deny it anymore. She was attached—more attached than she’d ever thought she’d be. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, Lila had become a part of her life in a way she hadn’t expected.

“Mama!” Lila called, waving at Kory from the swings. “Look how high I’m going!”

Kory’s heart swelled. “I see you, sweetie! Be careful!”

She leaned back on the bench, smiling to herself. Maybe life had taken a strange turn, but for the first time in a long time, Kory didn’t feel like she was alone.

And besides, she thought with a smirk, who else can say they’re raising a mind-reading toddler while being coached by a coma patient?

Adrian’s voice chimed in. Not many people, I’d bet.

Kory laughed to herself. Yeah, this was her life now. Weird as it was, she couldn’t imagine it any other way.

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