Page 32 of Devoured

She shook her head.

"How did you hit your head?"

Penny looked up at me. "I…fell?"

That's what I’d told her. But she clearly didn’t remember. She was just repeating what I’d told her.

"Do you remember falling?" he asked.

"No."

"Have you been drinking?"

"I don't...I don't know." She looked so confused. "Yes. I think so."

"How much alcohol have you consumed?" His tone was accusatory, but I bit my tongue. I was just as curious about the answer.

"I don't know. I don't remember." She started blinking fast like she was going to cry again.

Dr. Ridge walked around the bed and put his bag down on the floor. He pulled out a small flashlight and pointed it to her eyes. "Follow the light with your eyes," he instructed.

She did what she was told.

"Please stand for me."

I stepped closer in case she fell again.

Penny slid off the bed and onto her feet. But her legs were definitely wobbly. Dr. Ridge put his hands on her arms and helped her back onto the bed.

"You have a concussion. Sit back for me."

I swear I stopped breathing. She had a concussion. Because of me. I clenched my jaw.

Penny leaned back against the pillows as Dr. Ridge grabbed something else from his bag. He blotted her forehead.

"You need stitches,” he said.

She had a concussion and needed stitches? It felt like there was a knife in my chest. Ian was right to accuse me of hurting her. I had. This was all my fault.

"Shouldn't I go to a hospital?" Penny asked.

"I'll fix you up better than any emergency room doctor at this hour. Close your eyes. This is going to sting, but then you won't be able to feel anything."

I ignored the look on Dr. Ridge’s face as I climbed onto the bed beside Penny and grabbed her hand.

Penny closed her eyes as Dr. Ridge pulled a syringe out of his bag. But I kept my eyes open the whole time. I needed to see this. I needed to see the pain I’d caused her.

It was easy to forget that my actions had consequences when I was drowning. When all I could think about was coming up for air. But I’d done this. I’d caused it.

Penny squeezed my hand as the needle jabbed her forehead.

"Keep your eyes closed, Penny," I whispered. I stroked her palm with my thumb, hoping I could distract her from the pain.

I watched each stitch that Dr. Ridge made.

And I vowed to never hurt her again.

Not in a million years.

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