Page 32 of Fierce Hearts

A worker entered, offering me a jacket as his gaze trailed over my bloody clothes.

"Thought you'd like to get out of your shirt. We can probably wrangle up some pants too."

"Thanks, this is enough, I'm going to head home and shower," I said as I accepted the offering, giving him a grateful smile.

"Right, well our supervisor and site manager are just gathering statements, said they'd like yours too if that's okay." He looked uneasy, like the sight of all the blood was unsettling him.

"Got it, we'll come back find you all," Meredith spoke up, and the man nodded before he left.

"They're lucky you were here," she murmured as I tugged my shirt off and replaced it with the jacket.

"yeah, honestly, I just want to go shower. It's been a hectic day," I said as I zipped the jacket up.

"Right, let's get those statements done and get you home. I'm driving," Meredith said quickly, and I didn't bother to argue.

I was feeling drained and tired after everything, my brain fried from all the emotions and stress.

We found the supervisor and site manager quickly, who were grateful for my assistance and quick thinking. Again, I told them I was just doing my job as we gave our statements.

I mentally checked out midway through, my brain overwhelmed, and the next thing I knew, we were leaving the theater and heading to my car, my mind feeling like it was encased in a thick fog.

Meredith drove us to my house in my car, casting concerned glances my way, which her driver, Jackson, followed in her designated car behind.

"Are you okay? You seem... off today. Even before all this happened."

I was far from okay. I stared out the window, a numbness having settled over me. Meredith was my best friend, the only person I truly considered family these days, the only one I would trust with all of this. I wanted to confess everything—Marco's death, the marriage proposal, the threats. I wanted to cry and scream about how hard it was, how I didn't know what to do, how I felt trapped and paralyzed. A part of me, a dark, broken part, whispered that there was only, truly, one way out. But I shoved it down just as quickly.

I was a fighter, and I sure as shit was not about to take the easy way out. Even if it was tempting right now.

I glanced at Meredith, at the worry lining her features, at how much she cared for me. I'd never do that to her. But Meredith was also so happy right now, basking in newlywed bliss and excited about the theater project. Sure, the episode with Mike had put a damper on things, but she'd be back to it quickly. How could I drag her into my darkness? Put all of this stress and weight on her shoulders? It was not her burden to carry. She was innocent, and she deserved to enjoy this time.

I could handle this on my own. I'd learned to handle everything in my life. Because whether I liked it or not, I was a Savoca, and I was able to handle anything thrown my way. The only good thing about this damned cursed name.

"I'm fine," I lied as we pulled into my driveway. "Just tired. Work's been crazy lately, and this whole thing has just drained me." I managed a weak smile as she shut the engine off.

She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push as we exited the car and headed into my house.

"I'm going to grab a shower, get out of these clothes," I said, gesturing over myself and the bloody shirt I was carrying.

"I'll order some food," she offered. "Fried chicken and ice cream? Maybe open a bottle of wine?"

I managed a smile. "You know me too well."

In the sanctuary of my bathroom, I stripped off my ruined clothes and stepped under the hot spray of the shower, watching as remnants of Mike's blood swirled down the drain. It reminded me of other blood. Other lives cut short. Sure, I saved lives, but I'd taken them too.

A voice whispered in my mind, trying to slice through the haze so that I could figure things out. Run and risk those I love. Fight and almost certainly lose. Comply and sacrifice my freedom.

There had to be another option. Some way out that I wasn't seeing.

A sudden wave of nausea hit me, so intense I doubled over. Before I could react, I was vomiting into the shower drain, my body heaving until there was nothing left.

I braced myself against the tile wall, breathing hard. I thought I was good at managing my stress levels, but I guess with Ernesto's call, all of this was too much for me. All the stress, then the whole Mike thing.

I needed to pull it together. I couldn't fall apart, not now. I needed to figure this out, decide on my next step.

I rinsed my mouth and finished my shower, wrapping myself in a robe before heading to my bedroom to find clean clothes. Through the wall, I could hear Meredith on the phone, her voice light and happy, likely checking in with Leo.

I sat heavily on the edge of my bed, the weight of my situation pressing down on me. Whatever I decided, whatever path I chose, I needed to protect the new life I'd built—and the people in it.

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