"Falling Apart"

Ashley just shrugged, her body trembling as she struggled to hold back tears. "I didn't want it to be real," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The words felt like they were tearing her apart, and she couldn't help but sob as the reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks. "They said it's spread to my ovaries and my breast, and I need them both removed," she choked out, her eyes welling up with tears. "And I need a brain biopsy... what if I'm terminal?" The thought sent a wave of panic through her, and she felt like she was drowning in her own fears. "What if I don't see Ender grow up?" The image of her son, sweet and innocent, flashed before her eyes, and she felt a pang of despair. As she thought about all the people who would be affected by her illness, she couldn't help but wonder, "What will the fans think?" She had built a career on being strong and composed, and the thought of her fans finding out about her terminal illness was almost too much to bear. And to make matters worse, she had kept it a secret from her loved ones, too. "My mother and brothers don't even know," she confessed, her voice cracking with emotion. Tony's face was etched with concern as he listened to her, and he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm here for you, Ashley," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "I'll help you with all of this. I'm your friend, not just your manager." Just then, Ender ran up to them, his face scrunched up with worry. "Why is Mommy sad?" he asked, his voice trembling. Ashley tried to compose herself, but it was no use. She was falling apart, and she didn't know how to put herself back together again. Tony handed her a tissue, and Ashley blew her nose, trying to calm down. But it was too late. Ender had already seen her tears, and he was now climbing into her lap, wrapping his small arms around her neck. "I'm sorry, baby," she whispered, hugging him tightly. "Mommy's just scared, that's all." But as she looked at Tony, she knew that she was more than just scared. She was terrified, and she didn't know how to face this new reality alone. But with Tony by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could get through this after all.