Page 86 of The Next Mrs. Parrish

The man turned and smiled at him. “You’re out of chances. By the time these two are finished with you, you’ll be begging to die.”

Jackson turned and tried to run. One man grabbed him and held him while the other began to rain punches on him. He was pushed to the ground, his head ricocheting off the hard cement. He tried tocover his face with his hands, but one man held both his arms down while the other smashed his fist into Jackson’s nose. Red hot pain exploded through him.

“Stop, please,” he begged. The man’s hands were tight around his throat, choking him, and he sputtered for breath, desperate for air. Just when he thought he would pass out, the man let go. Jackson’s relief was short-lived. The guy reached for something behind him, and he realized with horror it was a tire iron. The swing connected hard with Jackson’s neck. Suddenly the area was bathed in lights and Jackson heard the sound of sirens. That was the last thing he remembered.

He hears a door close, and the sound of Daphne’s voice pulls him back into the present. Itisher. He can hear her as clear as day. Why can’t he talk?

“Do you have the test results yet?”

A throat clears. “Yes, it doesn’t look good.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s been three days since we evacuated the subdermal hematoma. We were able to wean him off the breathing tube and reduce the sedation, but…”

“But what?”

“He should have woken up, but he remains unresponsive. Further testing reveals that there’s been a vertebral dissection, likely as a result of the neck trauma.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s a tear in the inner lining of the artery. It caused a blood clot, which shot off into the basilar artery—that’s the main artery to the brain stem—and caused a brain stem stroke. As a result, MRI imaging shows major damage to his brain stem. He’s lucky he’s able to breathe on his own.”

“I don’t understand. Can you fix it?”

“No, the damage is permanent. To simplify, the brain stem is what executes actions for us. Talking, moving, and so on.”

“So he’s brain dead?”

No! I can hear you,he screams, but no sound comes out. He has to let them know. How is this happening? Unable to move. Them talking about him like he isn’t even there. The doctor speaks again.

“No, not brain dead. There doesn’t appear to be any damage to his cortex. That means it’s possible he can think, hear, and even see. But he can’t move.”

What is this idiot doctor saying? What the fuck? They can’t give up on him. If he can hear them and think, he has to be okay. They need to do something! His eyes fly open. The two of them are still talking, acting like he isn’t there.Look at me. I’m awake!

The doctor approaches the bed. “His eyes are open.”

No shit! I told you!

“Jackson, can you follow the light?” The doctor holds a flashlight and moves it from side to side. Jackson tracks it with his eyes.

The doctor turns back to Daphne. “We’re almost certain your ex-husband has locked-in syndrome. He can’t move or speak but is likely cognitively aware.”

“Are you saying that his mind is working, but he’s trapped in a body that can’t move or communicate?”

“I’m sorry to say, but yes. I’m afraid he’ll require a feeding tube and twenty-four-hour care.”

Jackson can’t believe his ears. He is going to be like this forever? That can’t be right. It was unthinkable.Ask again. Daphne, get clarity!Look at me.He moves his eyes back and forth hoping to get their attention, but neither look his way.

“So what’s going to happen to him?” Daphne asks.

“Once his acute injuries are healed, he’ll need to be moved to a long-term care facility.” The doctor puts his hand on Daphne’s arm. “A social worker will be in to speak to you and help you navigate the decisions to be made.”

“Is there any chance he can recover?” she asks.

“I never say never, but it’s extremely unlikely.”

Jackson closes his eyes, terror and despair washing over him. This is all Amber’s fault. She ruined his life. He’d still be married toDaphne if it wasn’t for her. The FBI would never have found out about his tax evasion and he would never have gone to prison. And then her greed and stupidity in selling the diamonds. One stupid mistake on his part had caused his entire life to fall apart. Why had he ever allowed himself to be seduced by that Medusa? The only good thing to come from her was Jax, but now Jackson would be denied even the pleasure of his son’s company. This was to be his life? No way to communicate, forever at the mercy of strangers for every little thing. It was unbearable. They should have killed him. It would have been better.

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