“Are you Peyton’s family?”
Before I can say anything, Derek answers for me. “As far as this hospital is concerned.” He turns to the man beside him. “As far as you and any other doctor in this hospital are concerned, that man is her husband. Are we clear?” A look passes between them before the doctor turns to me; my heart lurches in my chest.
Please be okay, sweet girl.
“She’s out of surgery, but,” he quickly adds, “I won’t lie, the next forty-eight hours are critical. She’s in the ICU and she’ll remain there for at least the next several days. We had a lot of work to do on her. She had massive internal bleeds in her abdomen, she’s lost a kidney — there was too much damage for us to save it — her appendix has ruptured from where she was stabbed there several times, her liver was nicked and needed repairing. She’s at risk of infection, especially due to her ruptured bowel, which we will be constantly monitoring her for. She’s in hypovolemic shock from all the blood she’s lost; we’recurrently giving her a blood transfusion and extra fluids to help with this. In other words, she’s got a long road to recovery.” He pauses and looks me in the eye. “I will say this, though, she’s one tough woman. There’s not many people that would have even made it to surgery after what she went through.”
My knees give out and I collapse back into the chair behind me.
She’s going to be okay.
Yes, she’s got a lot to still get through, but she survived the surgery, she survived what he did to her. I know she can survive this next part. She’s a fucking warrior. My gaze finds Derek and I can see the relief in his eyes, too, he feels the same as me. She’s going to make it.
Chapter Thirty-three
Peyton
Everywhere hurts. I try to open my eyes but I don’t have the strength to even lift an eyelid. I can hear whispers of conversation around me. My ears tune in tohisvoice, the only man I’ve ever loved.
“I want the best plastic surgeon flown in. I don’t care about the cost; I will not have her look in the mirror every day and be reminded of what that monster did to her.”
“We have a good plastics department here, I’ll have a word.”
“No. I don’t want good, I want the best. She gets the best.”
“Leave it with me.” I hear movement and then a hand closes over my own and a whisper soft touch brushes along my cheek.
“Come back to me, sweetheart. Open your eyes and show me you’re okay,” his voice is anguished.
I’m right here, Bennett, I’m okay.
But I can’t give him any signs that I’ve heard him, I can’t move a single muscle in my body. Darkness closes in again no matter how hard I fight it.
He’s talking again. His voice soothes me, even if I can’t soothe him in return. He’s always here, every time I’ve come round, I hear his voice. He needs to be getting rest too, someone needs to be looking after him.
“It’s been three days, shouldn’t she be awake by now?”
“Everyone is different. Her body went through a lot. We’re lucky she’s even breathing, Bennett, let’s give her time; her vitals are good, she’ll wake when she’s ready.” My boss’ voice answers.
I am ready,I scream in my head, but apparently my body doesn’t agree as darkness closes in again.
“Do you want to do it again, Mr Miller?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll give you some privacy.” I hear splashing and then a warmth on my face. A sponge bath, he’s giving me a sponge bath. I smile to myself, of course it doesn’t show on my face, though. I still haven’t been able to make myself wake-up.
“The police came again today,” he murmurs to me. He’s always talking to me, letting me know he’s here, I just wish I could let him know I’m here too. “I’ve been cleared. It’s unofficial, they’ve still got lots of reports to fill out, but they found the video he made. I-I…” his voice breaks and I feel the hand that is wrapped around my own shake. “Christ, sweet girl, I don’t know how you survived what he did to you. I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t get to you in time.”
Yes, you did. You saved me, Bennett. I’m alive because of you.
“Now you listen to me, you incredible girl.” It takes a second for me to place the voice.Jilly.“I need you to wake up, you hear me? I know your body is going through hell and I know you’re healing. But I need you to wake and heal my boy, because he’s not coping, dear. He needs you; we all do.”
I’m trying, Jilly. I’m really fucking trying.
“Darling girl, you look like shit,” I laugh internally as Harry’s voice breaks through, it’s the first time I’ve heard him. “Your hair needs a wash, your face needs some sunshine and this color? Darling girl, just no. I’m burning this once you’re finally out of it.” Only Harry could insult someone lying in a hospital bed who’s lucky to be alive. “I need you to wake up, okay? I need my best friend back, and I need you to take your fucking cat!”
“I need you, Peyton. I need you so fucking bad. Please, sweetheart, open your eyes. Give me those beautiful blues.” I try to open my eyes again, they feel like they’re stuck down with super glue. “I love you, I love you so fucking much. I won’t make it without you, sweet girl, I can’t live in a world where you don’t exist.” I try to move my hand, the one that’s currently swallowed by his own. I swear I manage to shift my finger slightly but I can’t be sure. Every part of me feels heavy; it’s like there’s a giant weight lying on me.
