Page 104 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

“Get out!” I tried again.

This time it came with more force, and much to my relief, the more I repeated it, the louder my voice became.

Ryland stepped back as though I had slapped him and held up his hands in defeat.

“I won’t touch you…” he said softly. “Please just calm down.”

The nurse showed up a moment later, giving me a concerned expression as she stepped inside of the room.

“Miss. Valentine, are you okay? Are you in pain?”

“I want him out of here.” I pointed a shaky finger in Ryland’s direction. “I don’t want to see his face.”

She looked confused for a moment but nodded and pointed towards the door.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Ryland snapped. “She just woke up. She needs some time to come to terms…”

“I’ll call security,” the nurse threatened, reaching for the phone beside me.

Ryland clamped his jaw shut and gave me a pleading expression.

“Please, Brighton,” he begged. “Hear me out. Please… don’t kick me out. I need to be with you, to make sure you’re okay.”

I didn’t respond. The nurse looked at me for approval, and I nodded before she started dialing.

Ryland sighed in defeat and walked towards the door slowly.

“I’ll be in the waiting room,” he declared. “I’m not going anywhere, Brighton. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

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