“No.” Despite my belief that I didn’t have any tears left, they pour out of me. “I need you. Desmier, I need you. I’m pregnant.”
His brows rise, but it looks like it hurts him to do that. “Baby?”
“We’re having a baby. We need you. Don’t leave us. I need you.”
His gaze intensifies, locking with mine. “Then we’re not done yet.”
The determination in his eyes almost makes me believe he’s going to get up and walk, or fly to get help.
But his eyes flutter closed, and there’s a deathly look about his face, as if he’s already crossed over to the other side.
When I feel for his pulse, there’s none.
ChapterFifty-One
Anastasia
Ikeep my eyes on the door ahead of me. The one next to the snack machine the hospital’s other visitors have been using.
The nurse came through it earlier to let us know the surgeons had started surgery on Desmier. That was over two hours ago. It’s night now, but time has been messed up since I started this day.
Malik is the reason we even made it here and hopefully have a chance.
I lost Desmier in the woods. Actually lost him. There was no sign of life in him by the time Malik reached us. He had to start CPR straightaway and was able to bring Desmier back. Then there was no time to wait for an ambulance. Malik got Desmier into his car, and we drove to the hospital. I sat in the back holding Desmier while he basically bled out.
Now we’re here in the hospital’s waiting room. Lorelai and Ehlga are on either side of me. Malik is sitting opposite us next to Jayce, and Zane and Gytha are standing by the corner near the window.
Everyone looks crushed, but the most broken person who feels the same pain I do is Ehlga.
She hasn’t stopped crying since she arrived. First, it was sobs, then the sobs turned to the sort of quiet crying you do when you have no energy left in you.
I’m feeling a different sort of numbness now, and aside from the pain in my heart, my ankle and head are throbbing. I have twisted it.
When I arrived with my face and body battered and told the doctors I was pregnant, they checked me over to make sure the baby was fine.
The baby is okay, but I have a broken rib. I was given medication that was okay to take with the baby, and my ankle was bandaged, but that agonizing feeling is still there.
It’s no worse than this waiting game. The waiting and wondering if this really is the end.
Another hour passes by. My head is on Ehlga’s shoulder while Lorelai holds my hand.
I almost fall asleep, but when a hand with perfectly manicured fingers holds a small cup of water in front of me, my focus snaps back and I lift my head.
It’s Gytha. She has three Styrofoam cups in her hand. One for each of us, and what feels like a peace offering to me.
“Thank you.” I take it.
“He’d want to make sure someone is taking care of you.”
I nod, and she gives me a polite smile before handing Ehlga and Lorelai their cups.
I watch her walk back to the wall and resume staring out the window. I look back at Ehlga, who seems appreciative of Gytha’s turnaround. In a time like this, we need each other’s strength.
I drink the water and savor the cold feeling soothing my throat.
Not two minutes after, the surgeon walks through the door.
I’m the first on my feet and hobble toward him.