Page 93 of Light in Your Eyes
I can only accept whatever pain that will engulf me.
On the day that Layla Hayes might be dying, I can only blindly search for a miracle.
Chapter 35
Layla
My eyelids feel so heavy when I try to open my eyes. Slowly, I try again, and when I finally open them, I'm greeted by a white ceiling.
I squint, my eyes still adjusting to the overwhelming light. Gradually, my vision becomes better.
I look around and find myself lying on the bed inside a room surrounded by white walls. Other than this bed, there is only a small cupboard, a desk with a chair, and an IV pole next to me.
This is a room for treating a patient, but it doesn't look like a hospital room. It looks more like a clinic.
I abruptly sit up as what happened in Kellan's room flashes back in my mind. My heart suddenly beats faster, causing me to grip my chest over the thin fabric of the robe.
The last thing I remember is losing consciousness inside the bathroom when the fire spread even worse. Did I just survive it?
What about Marco's brother? Is he dead?
Movement from the door startles me. I find Zoestanding in the doorway with her eyes wide in surprise. She rushes toward me and engulfs me in a tight hug. When she pulls away, I see the tears of relief in her eyes. She gives me a warm smile and holds my hands.
"You're awake." A man's voice makes me turn my head toward the door again.
Stas approaches me, and I can see the same relief in his expression.
"How..." I don't even know how to ask. There are so many questions in my head, and my heart is not ready yet to tell them how I almost got killed.
"You got us all worried," Stas sighs. "But it's all over now. After I got into the room, I found you lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. Luckily, the fire hadn't spread there as much as the other parts of the room. I managed to get you out just in time before the ceiling dropped."
I shiver after listening to him. It feels surreal that I just got out of that kind of nightmare.
Stas squeezes Zoe's shoulder to comfort her and stares at her tenderly while Zoe sighs. She must have been worried to death about her father.
"Thank you for saving me," I whisper.
My eyes water because of how grateful I am. I owe Stas my life.
"Anytime, Layla." Stas smiles.
I'm so glad that I have the two of them here in Black Wings. They are so kind and warm, unlike the other members. Kellan once told me that they were considered a part of the family—Stas has been working in the mansion for a long time.
"Layla," another voice echoes from the door, and my heart skips a beat. Kellan is standing by the door.
He must have heard my voice.
"You're awake?" His expression is a mixture of disbelief and hope.
But what makes my breath catch in my throat are his eyes. They hold so much sadness. Looking at him like this makes me want to cry.
Stas and Zoe exchange looks and nod. "Well then, we're just going to head out," he says.
I straighten up. Before I can ask the question lingering in my head, Stas says, "This is Doctor Dezzani's clinic. You're still in Black Wings mansion. He will check you up in a few minutes. As far as I heard, there's nothing to worry about your condition, but he'll explain to you better."
I nod, watching as he and Zoe excuse themselves and head to the door.
Kellan walks toward me and takes a seat beside the bed. I instantly reach for his hand, and he holds mine.
