shattered right now. She’d destroy her when she begged and
pleaded. She’d offer no mercy.
Her phone vibrated in her hand, and she started. She didn’t
realize she was still holding it. She stared at the screen. At the
blocked caller. She knew who it was before she answered.
“Hey,” Giana said so sweetly and softly that it made
Coralyn’s blood boil. “I made a few calls after the doctor left.
I’m going for those tests tomorrow. I wanted to say that I’m so
sorry for how I treated you. I don’t remember it, but it just
feels so wrong. We’re in love. I’ve treated you so terribly. I
have to fix things. I promised myself I would do that, and I
pulled a few strings. I’m done hiding. I want the world to
know that I’m proud to be your partner and that I love you.
I’m sorry I’m not myself, but I’ll figure it out. I promise. I’ll
remember us if you’re patient, I know I will. We can get
married tomorrow, if you want to.”
Shock blew her world apart. The universe could be a strange
beast. Here it was, serving up what she wanted most. She
stared at her dad’s hand, still tucked into hers. At the slow rise
and fall of his chest under the crisp, white hospital sheets. At
his slack jaw and closed eyes. He might not come back. Might
not have heard what she told him. She might regret not being
here for the rest of her life.
“Yes,” she said brokenly. Her heart was hard. A stone.
Maybe Giana wasn’t the villain. Maybe it was her. Maybe
she’d turned into one in the past few hours. She didn’t know
herself anymore. She was lost and blinded by pain. “Yes, that
would be amazing.”
Chapter 5
Giana