Page 60 of Chaos & Corruption

When we get to the hospital and make our way to Victoria’s room, my heart stops. Everyone, Victoria’s entire family, is huddled outside the door. A doctor steps out and starts to address Mr. and Mrs. B. I catch one sentence and one sentence only.

She’s awake.

Twenty-Two

Victoria Bianci

Tears streamdown my cheeks as the pain sears through me. All the events from the night of my attack come rushing back to me. Jennings cornering me outside the lecture hall, his fist connecting with my face over and over. I remember him tearing at my clothes and kicking him in response. I punched him too. I scratched and clawed at his neck all while crying for help. But that’s where it ends. Everything fades to black after that.

I try to speak but I can’t open my mouth, there are wires holding my jaw in place. Panic settles in as I lift my head off the pillow. I need to sit up. I need to take in my surroundings. Where are my parents? They were just here. I heard them.

Didn’t I?

Finding the call button, I jam my thumb against it.

Someone help me.

I swallow a sob as someone comes rushing into the room. Turning my head, my heart skips a beat as my eyes lock with Alex’s. I remember being on the floor, unable to move, every bone in my body hurting and all I could think of is him. Would I ever see him again? Would I ever get the chance to tell him I’m sorry I didn’t listen to him? That if I could rewind time, I’d forget all about the Scorpio Society and just be his girl.

“You’re really awake,” he rasps, closing the distance between us. He stops right beside the bed and lifts his hands to touch me but decides against it. I try to get my voice to work, but all I can do is point to my mouth.

“I know,” he whispers. “It’s okay, though. You’re gonna heal just right and then you’ll be able to talk all you want.”

But I want to talk now.

Frustrated, I tear my eyes away from him and glance around the room. When I spot the whiteboard across from the bed, I look back at Alex and point toward it. He doesn’t catch on right away, but when he moves to the board and spots the marker, he turns back to me and I jerk my chin again, beckoning him with my finger to bring it to me.

Pulling off the cap, I reach for his hand and roll up the sleeve to his shirt.

“Babe…”

I bring the felt tip to his skin and write the things I never thought I’d get the chance to say.

I’m sorry.

I want to be with you.

I think I’m in love with you.

When I’m done, I peel the marker away from his skin and stick the cap back on, watching as he reads line by line. Then he lifts his eyes back to mine and the most beautiful smirk teases his lips.

“That’s good, babe, because I know for certain I’m in love with you.”

That’s all I needed to hear.

Closing my eyes, I lay my head back against the pillow. Alex reaches for my hand and laces our fingers together.

“Please don’t close your eyes,” he whispers. My eyes spring back open and meet his. “Thought I’d never see those mis-matched eyes again.”

We stare at each other for a long while, and while I wish I could speak, I find comfort in the silence.

Sometimes you don’t need words.

Sometimes all you need is love.

An unexpected love born from chaos.

So powerful it survived corruption.

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