Chapter 114
“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” Lilly mutters, her voice still thick with emotion but laced with a hint of her usual sass. “Or else p>
A tiny laugh escapes me. “I’ll be sure not to p>
She smiles faintly and for a brief moment.
“Anyway,” I ask, “how long have I been out p>
She leans forward again, her fingers still wrapped gently around mine.
“This is the third day,” she says softly. “The doctors had to put you in an induced coma because of the swelling in your brain p>
I nod slowly. That makes sense. I remember the impact to my head. I guess that’s what caused the swelling.
“Everyone’s been here,” she adds. “Waiting for you to wake up. Aunt Ivy had to force them to go home for a change of clothes and a nap… In fact, I think they’ll be back soon. She promised to call them the second you opened your eyes p>
It’s only then that I really take in the room. The flowers. The Get Well Soon banners. The colorful balloons swaying in the air conditioning. The table beside me crowded with cards.
Lilly notices me staring around the room, and a big smile spreads across her face. “The huge teddy bear is from Iris. She came straight to the hospital the moment she heard about your accident p>
“Fuck,” I mutter, my throat tightening. “I think I’m going to cry again p>
It’s not every day you find people who become family. I can see and feel their love everywhere–in the flowers, the cards, and the little touches that fill the room. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way. It doesn’t even feel like a cold, lifeless hospital room since I’m surrounded by their love.
My breath catches and I have to fight myself so I don’t cry again.
“And guess who else was here?” Lilly teases, her lips curving into a smirk. “You won’t believe me. I was just as surprised p>
I frown, trying to think of who she might mean, but my mind comes up blank.
“Who?” I ask.
Before she can answer, there’s a soft knock at the door. A doctor in his fifties and a nurse walk in.
“Hello, Sierra,” the doctor greets warmly. “It’s good to finally meet you while you’re conscious. I’m Dr. Martin. I performed your surgery p>
“Hello,” I say, offering a small, polite smile.
He nods, glancing briefly at the chart in his hands before meeting my eyes again. “So, I’m not sure how much you’ve been told already, but you suffered a broken hand, a mild brain swelling, and a stab wound caused by a piece of glass that pierced your side p>
“That explains the pain whenever I move even a little bit,” I mutter under my breath, and they both chuckle softly.
“We’ve been monitoring your baby closely,” he continues, his tone gentle, “and so far, so good. There are no complications p>
A rush of relief floods through me, my shoulders sagging. I didn’t realize how much tension I was holding until that moment. Mom had told me, but to get the confirmation from the doctor eased any lingering tension and fear.
“As for you,” he adds, “you’re doing quite well and responding to treatment. I’d like to keep you here for another day or two before we consider discharge p>
I nod. “That’s fine p>
“Good,” he says with a reassuring smile. “If you need anything, the nurses are just a call away p>
“Thank you, Dr. Martin,” I tell him sincerely. “For everything p>
He winks. “No need to thank me. It’s my job to save lives p>
Once they’re gone, Lilly turns back to me, her eyes bright with barely contained excitement.
“Now,” she says, grinning, “back to what we were talking about p>
I arch a brow. “Right p>
Her grin widens. “Guess who stayed at the hospital for two whole days while you were out p>
I want to shut down the name being whispered in my brain, because how can it be him? Noah despises me, so why would he spend those two days here? 1