Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“I’ll have lunch delivered to your room. You’ve been on an intravenous drip for two days. Start with lots of liquids and go slowly with the solids until your digestive system has adapted. It’s best to stick to bland food for the first week. Don’t forget to make sure you’re well hydrated.
“We’ll keep you under observation for another couple of hours after you’ve eaten. If you keep the food down and your tests come back normal, you can go home. But I want you back here for a checkup in another couple of days.”
My family gives us privacy while he takes a blood sample, checks my vitals, and tells me that my blood pressure is fine. They return when a nurse wheels a trolley with soup, a glass of juice, and a bowl of jelly and custard into the room. The doctor scribbles the name and number of a psychiatrist on a prescription sheet and gives it to Ryan.
“I recommend that you schedule a visit as soon as possible,” he says with a pat on Ryan’s back and a smile directed at me before he leaves.
Despite myself, I’m starving. I don’t remember ever being this hungry. The food is tasteless, but I finish every morsel under Mattie and Ryan’s scrutiny.
After eating, I’m suddenly exhausted again. Ryan switches on the television, and Jared offers to get everyone coffee from the vending machine.
I’m drifting in and out of awareness, doing my best to just survive and not to think for now.
It feels like hours later when the doctor returns to inform me that my test results are normal and that he authorized my discharge. A nurse removes the IV tube and tells me that I can get dressed.
“We’ll wait outside,” Mattie says.
Ryan’s manner is quiet and calm. As always, it grounds me. “Your clothes are in the closet.”
Mattie pushes Jared through the door. “Call if you need us, honey.”
When we’re alone, I turn to Ryan. “I think he was here.”
He stills. “Who?”
“Angelo.” The name gets stuck in my throat. I swallow around it. “I think he was here in the hospital.”
Compassion softens my brother’s face. “You were dreaming. Hallucinations are a known side-effect of the drugs.”
“No.” I shake my head. “This was different from dreaming.”
“He wouldn’t dare come here.” A shutter drops in front of his eyes. “Not after what happened.” Putting on a bright smile, he says, “Get dressed so that we can take you home.”
Walking through the door, he closes it softly behind him.
I rub my hand where the IV was inserted. The needle left a small puncture mark. The skin around it is bruised, the blue already turning a greenish yellow.
I don’t want anyone to help me dress—I hate feeling like a helpless child—but I’m dizzy when I sit up and swing my legs over the bed. The world spins a little as I make my way to the closet where I find a clean pair of jeans, a T-shirt, a sweater, underwear, and my toilet bag. Mattie or my mom must’ve been thoughtful enough to bring my toiletries and clothes.
I go to the en-suite bathroom to use the facilities, freshen up, and change. I’m dying to have a shower and wash my hair, but I’m eager to go home. For now, brushing my hair and my teeth will have to do.
My reflection stares back at me in the mirror. I don’t recognize the woman with the pale skin and dark circles under her eyes. I don’t want to look at her too closely because I’m afraid I’ll hate what I see.
Not making eye contact with that woman, I brush my teeth and pull my hair into a ponytail. Then I untie the hospital gown at the back, free my arms, and let it drop to the floor. At the sight of my naked body, I freeze. I go cold. Colder still. So cold that it feels as if my veins are filled with ice.
The curls between my legs are gone. I’m bare, shaved clean. At the apex of my sex, the embossed white circle of Angelo’s mark screams the truth.
Chapter
Eight
Sabella
* * *
Roch stands outside the door of the hospital room.
My muscles tense. He returns my glare with a cool look.
“It’s all right,” Ryan says, touching my elbow to catch my attention.
“You know him?” I ask under my breath.
“Since the last two days.”
“What’s he doing here?” I ask, not bothering to keep my voice down.
Ryan takes my arm when I don’t show any signs of moving. “He and I want the same thing, which is to keep you safe. That’s the only reason I’m allowing him near you.”
“Or to keep me from talking,” I bite out, glancing at Roch from over my shoulder as Ryan pulls me to the exit.
“Bella.” Ryan’s voice holds a warning. “Not here.”
I shut my mouth, but my anger escalates when Roch shoves his hands in his pockets and saunters after us. His casual gait is borderline taunting.