Page 106 of Bittersweet Revenge

“You suffered a closed skull fracture due to your fall. It was luckily minimal enough to avoid surgery, but you may still suffer from side effects given the two-day coma you were in.”

“Okay?” She sounded frightened and started chewing on her bottom lip as she often did when she was anxious. I was somehow pleased by it. I hoped he would scare her enough to stop her from doing something this stupid in the future.

“We’re going to keep you here for the next seventy-two hours. I’m sure you will be fine, but it will just be an extra precaution.”

“Whatever you think is best,” I responded in her stead.

She threw me an annoyed look that I held steadily. She could fight me on this all she wanted. She was going to stay in this bed even if I had to tie her to it.

“Very good. Just don’t hesitate to beep should you need anything.” He took a few steps and stopped in front of me. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” I pretended to believe it and he pretended I cared.

“When is the funeral?” she asked with a small voice after the doctor had left.

“Tomorrow.”

Her eyes widened. “That fast? Oh, I’m sorry, Caleb. I won’t be there to support you.”

“My mother wants it all to be done and dusted as quickly as possible.” I waved my hand dismissively from my spot on the chair. “I don’t need support. You know what I felt when he was declared dead on the scene? Relief, a relief that would have made me laugh on the spot if I was not sick with worry for you.” I sighed. “I just need you to get better.”

She frowned. “When you came into the room that day, you said you'd sent someone to Oklahoma. Was that true?”

I nodded, pulling the chair closer to her to take her hand. I feared she might get angry with me.

I pulled her hand to my mouth and kissed it. “Yes, none of you wanted to listen to me. I knew there was more to her.” I shook my head. “So just before New York, I called someone to help. He was reluctant at first–” I cocked my head to the side. “I mean, his pet name for me is ‘sociopath,’ but he did it for you.”

“Ben?” she cried with incredulity.

I nodded. Ben Deluca, my ally and enemy in so many ways. My rival who was now sitting in the waiting room to talk to my girl, my heart. One I needed to offer an out. “He went under the pretense of a campus visit and managed to talk to some of White’s old friends.” I rolled my eyes. “He didn't do it for free though. He stayed in the most luxurious hotel and is now the proud owner of a Ducati Panigale V4R.”

She chuckled. “Good for him.”

“Yeah.”” I nodded. “Talking about Ben, he is not a bad choice, you know.” Fuck, why was this so hard? I had all the best intentions, but I felt like my heart was being shredded into pieces. “He is annoyingly good with his ‘knight in shining armor’ complex, but you could pick worse.”

“Caleb, I don't understand.” She gripped my hand tighter.

I removed my hand from hers and leaned back in my chair. I couldn’t do it if I kept touching her. It would be impossible.

“I’m saying that with my father gone, I’ve been put in charge now and I can grant you your freedom. You can go and be who you want to be, study wherever you want to, and…be with Ben if you want to”.

“What about us? You said you loved me.” The hurt in her voice made me ache, but I had to give her a real choice.

“I did, I do, but if you were to choose Ben, I'd be okay– Knowing that you’re happy and well somewhere, I’d be fine.” I gave her a smile even though I was dying inside. With her gone I'd keep on breathing, functioning, but I would not be alive, not anymore – not like when she was in my arms.

“You want me to leave you?” Her voice was so small, so feeble I almost changed my mind.

I'd rather die. I reached in my pocket and got her engagement ring out. “No, I want you to do what you want to do. Not what you are expected to do or what you think you should do. There doesn’t need to be a wedding next week. We can cancel saying that we’re in mourning or we can go ahead with it, saying it would honor my father's memory." I shrugged. “We can-Youcan do literally whatever you want.” I jerked my head toward the door. “Ben is waiting to see you. I’ll let him in and you guys talk. Whatever you decide to do is fair, Esmeralda. You never committed to these choices, not really.” I stood up.

“Caleb, no wait. Let's talk some more,” she begged and I stopped by the door, considering it before shaking my head.

“See you in a bit,” I said, stepping into the corridor and closing the door behind me.

“How is she?” Deluca asked from his chair outside the room, a half-drunk cup of coffee and some sports magazine at his side.

“She’s good. We got lucky.” I gestured to the door. “She’s ready to see you.”

He stood up and gave me a nod. “You’re not too bad, all things considered.”

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