Page 97 of Lust
Why the hell would he call me now? What else could he take from me?
“What?” I snapped. Could a man not even lament in peace?
“Tristan,” he said evenly, ignoring the bite in my voice. “I think you better return to the hospital.”
“Excuse me.”
“Come back to the hospital,” he spoke slowly as if I were a dim child who couldn’t understand an easy instruction. “I came by to see Sara.”
“Why?” I asked suspiciously.
“I have my reasons,” he replied easily. “As it turns out, I witnessed a miracle during my visit... They are calling it God’s miracle.”
“Sara’s awake?” My throat went dry despite the deal I had agreed to. I’d leave, and Sara would magically awaken.
“Yes,” came Michael’s response. “She woke with only one name on her lips. Yours.”
The ground underneath me almost caved, but… “It doesn’t matter.” The deal was that if I left, she’d wake up.
“But itdoesmatter.” For once, Michael sounded satisfied with himself. “In my story, an honest sacrifice has the power to break the worst of curses.”
“How do you know—” I shook my head.
Why was I still questioning divinity? Michael wouldn’t reveal the truth, this much I had ascertained over the years. It was clear that his connection to God was bigger than my grasp on it. And if he was convinced that my presence wouldn’t destroy Sara, could it be true?
“What if something bad happens to her again?” I rasped out, hope flailing in my heart.
“Then you’d better figure it out together. God can’t save you from yourself, and neither can I.” He hung up before I could say another word.
My phone dropped to my side.
“Turn the car around.” Without further ado, I forced Steve to speed through the beltway and return to the hospital. My legs tapped restlessly for the entire two-hour drive. Once we arrived at the hospital, I ran all the way to Sara’s room.
I froze at the sight of a conscious Sara and watched her for an uninterrupted moment. Ragu was helping her gurgle with mouthwash that she spat into a small portable basin. And it looked like Mary had already helped Sara change into a white summer dress, even though she was still propped up against a pillow on the hospital bed.
Despite myself, I couldn’t hold back a smile.
Other than our parents, I expected to see Michael and a plethora of doctors. The sight of both was non-existent.
How could it be? A girl who was unconscious only mere hours ago was suddenly awake and looked like the definition of life itself. There was no proof of what she had gone through other than the scars tarnishing her beautiful beige skin.
It was indeed a miracle.
“Sara,” I whispered.
Three pairs of eyes turned to face me, but it was only the gray ones to hold me captive. Sara and I stared at each other, stumped over the course of events. I thought she would look at me with hatred, but her eyes shone with something else entirely.
Relief.
Happiness.
Love.
Our parents exchanged a knowing look. “Ragu and I are going to grab some coffee,” Mom said, unprovoked.
Ragu pointedly searched Sara’s face in case suspicions of foul play remained in the equation but left once Sara gave him a reassuring nod. He patted me on the shoulder on the way out, which felt like a blessing and a gentle threat.
I remained rooted in place, unable to pay attention to the subtle hint. My gaze was only locked on the girl who held my heart hostage.
