Page 122 of Hook

I sigh heavily. “How long will I be in here?”

The doctor’s brow furrows. “Let’s see what the results of your MRI are and we can give you an accurate estimate.”

“Worst-case scenario?”

His jaw works. “Months,” he says, before turning and walking out.

“He’s got to be kidding,” I say, glaring after him. “I’m not staying in here for months.”

Gwen grabs my hand again and squeezes. “You’ll stay in here however long the doctor says is necessary. You almost died, Cillian.”

The emotion in her voice draws my attention back to her. My beautiful wife. “How often have you been here?”

“Every single day. I only went home to sleep and shower now and then.”

“Home being?”

“Our home,” she says softly.

“Our home,” I repeat, letting the words sink in. It’s surreal to think that she actually wants this. When I let her go, I was sure she’d never come back to me. That I was destined to live a life of solitude because it’s all I deserved. And while I told her Piero doesn’t deserve her, I know I don’t deserve her either. No one is good enough for her.

“I don’t deserve you,” I murmur.

She shakes her head. “You do. Of course you do. You deserve to be happy, Cillian.”

“I’m not sure that’s true. If you knew all the things I’ve done... I’m not a good man, princess.”

“I don’t care,” she says, looking at me with determination blazing in her eyes. “You’re mine.”

I smirk at that, as those are the words I’ve said to her countless times since we met. “Is that right?”

“Yes, and you deserve to heal from the darkness of your past. I want to help you.”

My jaw works as I’m not sure there’s any coming back from the darkness I’ve lived most of my life in. “The darkness is a part of me now,” I warn.

“And I’ll embrace it. I love you, Cillian. Every part of you. Especially your darkness.”

My lips feel dry hearing her tell me she loves me. It’s going to take a while to get used to. “Say that again,” I breathe.

She rolls her eyes. “I love you.”

“I think I could spend the rest of my life listening to you say those three words to me.”

She smiles and leans over to kiss me, her mouth soft against mine. “I love you,” she whispers again when she pulls back.

“I love you too, princess.”

I give her a stern look. “Now go home and get a proper night’s sleep and a home cooked meal. You look like you’ve barely been sleeping.”

Her expression turns irritated. “Are you saying that I look like shit?”

I press a hand to my chest. “I’d never say that, but you look tired. Get some rest.”

Her lips purse together. “But you’ve only just woken up.”

I arch a brow. “And I’ll be here when you get back. Be a good girl for me and do as you’re told.”

“Fine,” she breathes. I can tell that she’s relieved that I’m letting her get some rest. “But I’ll text you to check in later.” She nods at the nightstand. “Your phone is there and charged.”

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