Page 111 of This Wild Heart

His eyes were red-rimmed as they traced over my features. “I’m glad it was you. Even if it didn’t last long, even if you don’t remember it, I’m glad you were the one I married first, golden girl.”

There was a blinding pressure on my chest, his words wrapping around my throat, stopping me from saying something I’d really regret. None of them were lies, but the truth wouldn’t be any easier for him to swallow.

Likeplease let me stay.

Likethe only life I can imagine now is this one.

LikeI love you.

“I’m glad it was you too,” I said instead.

Chapter 30

Anya

“Oh thank God, you’re here.”

My dad met us in the hallway just outside Isabel’s room. Violet and Willa were right behind me. I’d woken them up about an hour before visiting hours started and picked up breakfast on the way so we could be there as soon as we were allowed in. He gave us all hugs, and I did my best not to break down when he wrapped me in his strong arms because that shit could wait. Dad cupped the side of my face and smiled after I pulled away, then leaned down to whisper something in Willa’s ear that made her giggle.

“What’s wrong? I thought you said surgery went well.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “It did. They just moved her out of recovery, and she’s back in the room now. But … I’m not sure your sisters should go in there.”

“Why not?”

“Vi, can you take Willa down to the cafeteria and get her some food?”

Violet’s brow furrowed. “We just ate in the car. Can’t we go in and see Mom?”

Willa bounced on her toes. “I’m not hungry. Come on, I know she wants us in there. I’ll totally cheer her up.”

Dad opened his mouth to answer when I heard it. The whole freaking hallway heard it.

“I’m by myself,” she sang at the top of her lungs. It was off-key and loud and horrible. “I don’t know the words, but I’m all by myself.”

Our heads swiveled toward the room.

“Is that…?” I asked quietly.

“Is thatMom?” Violet asked.

Dad grimaced. “She’s a little … high.”

We raced to the door, Willa shoving at Violet to get there first. I elbowed Violet out of the way, and the three of us carefully poked our heads around the corner.

Isabel’s leg was elevated, the bottom half wrapped up, and she held her hand up in front of her face. “Oh wow, look at my fingers. I have so many of them.”

“Whoa,” Willa breathed.

“Where’s my husband?” Isabel asked. “Did you see how sexy he is? He’sso sexy. I love him so much it’s stupid.”

Willa giggled into her hand. When I looked back at Dad, his cheeks were pink, and he couldn’t make eye contact with any of us.

The nurse checking Isabel’s vitals shook her head with a slight smile on her face. “He stepped out for a second, honey. He’ll be right back.”

“Oh good,” she said, sighing dramatically. “Make sure to look at his ass when he comes back in, it’sphenomenal.”

Violet slapped a hand over her mouth to contain her laughter.

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