Page 68 of Love Under Siege

“Oh shit, I’m sorry! Okay, I think I’m gonna just stay away from you from now on.”

“Don’t you dare!” I say, laughing and wincing simultaneously.

But then I notice her smile fade. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I have to go away, Anya. My dad is sending me to some facility. Mom says it’s supposed to help with my healing process, but I know it’s because my dad doesn’t want me around.”

I reach for her hand, and she walks over to me. “I know you don’t get along with your dad, but maybe try to look at the positives. You’ll get help with coping. Jacob’s friend Connor knows a good therapist who could probably come to the facility.”

“Who?” Lana asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Connor. Jacob said he was the one who carried you out,” I reply.

“Huh, I honestly don’t remember how I got out. I just assumed the police got me.”

“Nope, it was Connor.”

“Well, is he at least hot?” she asks with a playful grin.

I give her an incredulous look, and she laughs. “I’m just kidding! In all honesty, I am staying the hell away from men! I don’t want a repeat of Caleb or Adam.” She says Adam’s name softly, the weight of her actions lingering in the air, even if it was in self-defense.

“Lana, you deserve to heal, and you have so much strength in you. It’s okay to take a break from everything, including relationships.”

She nods, though the concern in her eyes doesn’t fade. “Thanks, Anya. I just hope my dad realizes that pushing me away isn’t the answer.”

I squeeze her hand, hoping to reassure her. “It’s not. Just focus on yourself for now.”

A knock at the door interrupts our conversation, and I look up to see my parents, along with my brother Mateo and sister Kora.

Lana squeezes my hand before standing up. “I’m going to head out,” she says, and I nod in understanding.

“Hey, kiddo, how are you feeling?” my dad asks, his voice warm with concern.

“I’m okay, Dad.”

“Damn, you look like shit,” Mateo pipes up, earning a disapproving glare from my mom.

“Yeah, but I can probably still kick your ass,” I tease back.

“Yeah, she’s more badass than you, having survived being stabbed twice and shot!” Kora chimes in, a grin on her face.

My mom throws up her hands in mock exasperation. “Oh, for goodness' sake!”

We all laugh, and I can feel the tension easing, even if just a little. “If I recall, you did say ‘badass’ at Nana’s funeral,” I remind my mom.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! That hit to your head must’ve given you hallucinations. I would never say such words!” she retorts, a playful glint in her eyes.

After a few more jokes, my dad and siblings say their goodbyes, and my mom sits beside me. “But really, Anya, how are you?”

“Honestly, I’m sad. Jacob’s leaving soon to go back to his training,” I admit, my voice trembling. “I don’t know how I’ll manage without him.”

My mom gently pushes a strand of hair away from my face. “Despite our previous conversations about him, I truly believe he’s a good man, Anya. And you’re strong. You have a lot of people who care about you, and we’ll all be here to help you through this.”

“I know,” I reply, trying to hold back my tears. “But it’s going to be so hard with him away.”

She takes a deep breath, her expression softening. “He’ll be okay. He knows what he’s doing. And remember, you’re not alone in this.”

I nod, grateful for her support, but the sadness lingers in my heart, a constant reminder of the uncertainty ahead.

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