I don’t remember how long I sit in the hospital chair, but it’s long enough that I cry.
It’s long enough that I don’t stop crying.
Knox caught up to us in the forest and held me all the way here, but I didn’t stop crying, not even after Dad, Agnus, and Elsa followed.
I cry like a baby. I cry like I’m just learning what it means to cry.
We’ve been sitting here for what seems like an eternity. The waiting time goes on and on like doom brewing in the distance.
The guys follow. Aiden, Xander, and Cole are standing near the corner, their heads bowed. They haven’t said a word to each other, as if afraid that will break whatever trance has fallen over the waiting area.
Lars comes by, too, his brows furrowed and his snobbish expression gone. It’s worry, I realise. He’s worried.
I don’t know why that makes me sob harder. If Lars, who hardly shows any emotions, recognises how bad it is, this is turning awful.
“It’s going to be okay, T.” Knox hugs me to his side. “Come on, sis, stop crying.”
“I can’t.” I hiccough.
My head hurts from the unrelenting tears. The moment I get a small bit of relief, I think of Ronan and a new wave hits me.
It’s as simple as that.
I don’t think of Eduard or what I did to Edric or about myself, my life, or any of those things.
I only think about him.
“W-What if I lose him, Knox?” I speak through my tears. “What was I thinking? What did I do?”
“Hey, that fucker lessened his fall, okay?” Knox says. “Ronan was breathing when the medics got him out. He’s going to be okay.”
“But what if he isn’t? What if…what if…” God, I can’t even say the words. I don’t want to think about them, but they’re the only things engraved in my head.
The shadow on my shoulder is no longer there. The little girl disappeared the moment Eduard fell off that cliff, but there are other things here on her behalf. Things like gloomy thoughts and black smoke.
“Teal?” Edric’s voice drifts from the corner. “Come in. You can see him.”
I jerk up to a standing position, my heart beating in and out of sync in my chest. I jog to the room then stop in front of Ronan’s father, gulping my salty tears. “E-Edric, I’m so sorry for…”
“No worries.” He smiles. “If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry towards you. I should’ve seen it sooner.”
I shake my head, not having words to say.
“We’ll talk later.” He motions at the room. “Go in.”
I push the door open and tiptoe inside as if I’m going through a crime scene — and I might as well be.
The image of when Eduard pulled Ronan with him keeps flashing before my eyes. I reached a hand out for him, but all I could catch was thin air.
At that moment, time stopped and I wished I could turn it back and not do what I’d done. I wished I had investigated Edric’s actions before I plotted his demise.
But most of all, I wished I had chosen Ronan. I wished I’d taken him away and started anew with him.
The first thing that greets me in the room is the strong light. Soon after, it’s the bruises on Ronan’s half-naked chest and the cast wrapped around his arm.
His beautiful face has some blue bruises. The sight of him makes me hiccough as I approach him with unsteady steps. I couldn’t stop the flow of tears even if I tried.
“Why do you look beautiful even when you cry, belle?” he teases in a husky voice.
I drop beside him on the bed, sniffling and trying to get my feelings in check. I fail miserably and end up blabbering. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your father or make you go through this. I was selfish and you got hurt and I…I…”
“Hey.” He cradles my hand in his good one. “It’s not your fault, Teal. Besides, I’ll be as good as new tomorrow. I’ll only lose use of my left hand for a few weeks, so you kind of have to do everything for me.”
“Anything.” I nod frantically.
He grins. “Anything?”
I nod again.
His grin falls, but he strokes the back of my hand. “Let’s start with you not leaving my side ever again.”
“You…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “You still want me?”
“Still? Did I ever stop?” He brings my hand to his mouth and brushes his dry lips against the skin. “I’ll never stop wanting you, belle. You’re made for me.”
“You’re made for me too.” I wrap my arms around his neck, my tears wetting his skin. “I love you, Ronan. I love you as I’ve never loved anyone before.”
He lowers his voice. “Even after what Eduard the fucker said?”
I pull back to stare at him. “I told you, his words don’t matter, okay? You do.”
His sensual lips move in a heart-breaking smile. “I do?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t you dare leave me, Teal, or I’ll pull an Astor move on you.”
“An Astor move?”
“Yeah, it involves chasing you to the end of the world, and that’s kind of not fun.” He grins. “For you, not me.”
“Now I’m intrigued.”
“Why am I not surprised?” He tugs me to him and plants a soft kiss on my nose. “I love you, Teal. Now and always.”
Now and always.
