Page 40 of Vintage

I saw Reese’s hands tremble as she pressed one to Amery’s chest, trying to feel for any sign of life. Her face was pale, her lips pressed tight, but her movements were quick, urgent. I couldn’t see any blood at first, no gaping wounds, no sign that the hit had torn through her skin. I didn’t see anything too severe, and for that, I was grateful.

Please, God, don’t let her be hurt badly. Please.

Reese was talking to her now, her voice low and soft, as if trying to soothe Amery in her dazed state. She must’ve been in shock, her mind still trying to catch up with the pain. I couldn't hear her words, but I could see the desperation in her face. And still, I stood there—frozen, incapable of moving, of helping. A coward in a corner, watching the woman I loved struggle in the aftermath of something I couldn’t stop.

I couldn’t see any major wounds. No blood pooling on the ground, no limbs bent at unnatural angles. There was nothing I could see that screamed danger, nothing I could immediately identify as life-threatening. But that didn’t matter. The fear gnawed at me, the unknown terror of not knowing what was happening to her inside, under the skin. Was she bleeding internally? Had her spine snapped? Was she in more pain than she let on, her body too numb to respond?

I couldn’t tell. I couldn’t know.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, but I still couldn’t move. I was paralyzed, caught between the helplessness of watching and the rage that burned in my chest. Anger at myself, at Willow, at the world for allowing this to happen. How could this happen? How could I be standing here, watching her... and not be able to help?

“Amery, stay with me,” I heard Reese whisper, finally and I nearly choked on my own breath. The way she said it, so raw and vulnerable, like her voice was all that was keeping Amery tethered to the world. “Please, stay with me.”

And then I saw Amery blink again, slowly. Her hand moved, twitching, and for a brief moment, I thought—she’s going to be okay.

Reese looked over her shoulder, her eyes frantic, and finally, finally, I saw her reaching into her pocket, pulling out her phone, dialing for help. I wanted to run to her, to grab her and shake her, to demand answers, to tell her to hurry up, but I couldn’t.

What I could do was… Just stand there.

I could only watch as I waited for help to come.

I failed to protect her. I failed my wife.

Chapter Seventeen

Reese gently urged, "Drink some water." As she rubbed my back, I took a sip of the cold liquid. My throat throbbed from all the screaming and sobbing when it happened.

I flinched, unable to shake off the memory of the accident.

Fortunately, I managed to leap out of the way just in time, and the car collided with mine instead. The scratches and bruises felt like a small price to pay compared to the possibility of fractures and surgeries.

I was grateful that Reese had come to get me; she seemed to sense that something was off too.

The sound of the kitchen door clicking open caught my attention, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me when I saw Darius.

"I filed a report through Dimitri," he said, "and he informed me that the car owner wasn’t inside when it happened; the engine just started on its own. Thankfully, you’re okay, and I’ve ensured that the jerk covers your medical expenses." He leaned against the dining table, which I had placed in the kitchen to overlook the backyard filled with Ro's beautiful flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

"How are you holding up now?"

Despite my attempts to hold back the tears, I found it impossible. My body shook with visible tremors, and soon I was hiccupping and sobbing uncontrollably, wrapped in Reese's comforting embrace.

In that instant, I longed for Ro to be by my side, to wrap his arms around me, to kiss me, and to offer me comfort. He has a way of making difficult moments feel manageable.

"Did you give her anything for the pain?"

"She took the ibuprofen the doctor prescribed. But I think it’s more the shock from the accident; she hasn’t said a word the whole ride home."

Tears streamed down my face. Even with my friends around, I felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. If only he could be here with me.

"Shhh... It's okay, Amery. I promise everything will be alright. Let’s get you settled in bed." Reese helped me.

I made my way to my room on the second floor, and with her assistance, I changed into my pajamas.

She tucked me in and turned off the lights, closing the door softly as she whispered, "I’ll be in the living room with Darius. Just call if you need anything."

Once she left, I turned to the side where Ro usually slept, closing my eyes and searching for solace in the memories he had left behind.

In my mind, he was there, gently stroking my hair, tracing circles on my cheek, and planting soft kisses on my forehead that felt almost ethereal.

---