Chapter 135
Her love brings me to tears…Again. I honestly don’t understand why I’ve been a crying mess since I woke up.
“Oh, sweetheart…” She gathers me into her arms. She holds me close, her hand cradling the back of my head as I cry on her shoulder until the ache in my chest has nothing left to give.
She strokes my hair, her voice breaking as she murmurs, “No one’s going to hurt you again, you hear me? No one. We’ll protect you, sweetheart… We’ll take out anyone who dares p>
I cling to her like I’m a child again. By the time I finally pull back, my tears have slowed. Aunt Harper brushes a few damp strands from my face and wipes what’s left of my tears with her thumb.
I sniffle and manage a shaky laugh, glancing at the sofa she was sitting on earlier. “You’re knitting p>
Her lips twitch into a soft smile. “You noticed p>
There’s that look again. The one that always unsettles me. It’s not judgmental, just searching. Like she’s looking for something in me, something she can’t quite name. I’ve seen it before, the way her gaze drifts and lingers, as if she’s caught between memory and recognition, but she can’t quite figure out what exactly it is. 1
It’s a look I should have been used to by now, considering the number of times I’ve gotten it over the years… but I’ve just never been able to. It’s a disconcerting look. One that has always sent chills down my spine. 2
Shaking those thoughts away, I focus on the present.
“The yarn,” I say, nodding toward the sofa. “Since when do you knit p>
“Since I found out I was going to be a grandma,” she says with a soft chuckle. She pats my belly, her smile widening with pride. “I wanted to make something special for the baby p>
That draws a small, watery laugh from me. “What are you making p>
“Can’t tell you,” she teases, wagging a finger. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I did. But just know, all your aunts are working on something personal for the baby p>
My chest tightens again. “Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes stinging all over again.
Before she can respond, the door opens and the doctor walks in, clipboard in hand, a kind smile on his face. “Well, look who’s finally decided to join us p>
Aunt Harper stands, giving him room.
“Hi,” I say softly. My voice still feels like sandpaper.
“Hi, Sierra,” he says, coming closer. “You gave us quite the scare.” He checks the monitors and makes a few notes before looking at me again. “How are you feeling p>
“Like I was hit by a truck,” I mutter, managing a faint smile.
He chuckles. “That’s understandable. You’ve been through a lot. You were given a very high dosage of cardionex. You suffered a heart attack and your heart stopped for a short time, but we were able to resuscitate you p>
I stare at him, my heart thudding again. “My heart stopped p>
He nods solemnly. “Yes. For a little over a minute. But we got you back. You slipped into a coma after that, your body’s been healing steadily p>
but
I can’t breathe for a second… A minute. A whole minute where I wasn’t breathing. Where I was gone…. I was dead for a whole minute. I don’t know how to process that. I don’t know how to accept that someone almost succeeded in killing me.
I’m grateful to be alive, but if things had gone differently, those would have been two lives lost, and all because someone has a grudge against me.
My hand trembles as I rest it on my belly. “And… my baby? Is my baby okay p>
Dr. Weller’s expression softens. “We’ve been monitoring the baby closely since the incident. So far, everything looks good. No complications, the heartbeat is strong, and development is right on track p>
Relief floods through me so fast it makes me dizzy. I close my eyes, just taking in the moment. To soak in the information that my baby is fine.
Aunt Harper squeezes my shoulder, whispering, “See? Both of you made it through. You don’t have to worry too much p>
But even as she says that, something shifts inside me. The thought of what could have happened is unbearable.
I have to do something–anything–to make sure my baby and I are safe. I’ve already escaped death three times. Who’s to say I’ll be that lucky the next time whoever’s after me decides to strike again?
The doctor smiles kindly. “We’ll keep observing you, but for now, this is a very good sign p>
Not even five minutes pass before the door opens again. Mom and Lilly step in with bags.
Lilly gasps when she sees me. “Oh my God,” she whispers, her hand flying to her mouth. “You’re awake p>
Mom’s eyes fill instantly, tears spilling before she even reaches me. “Baby,” she breathes, cupping my face as she leans over to kiss my forehead. “My baby… my baby… you’re finally up. Thank God p>
And once again, as if my body doesn’t know how to do anything else, I cry. 1