Page 72 of Forbidden Love

“Or drive him right back to a coma.” I snigger and turn around just as the door opens.

I stop in my tracks, and Damien stands up quickly as Mrs. Collinson walks into the room. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since I put her out of Clark’s house. She looks hellish. Her usual perfect look is disheveled. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, her face is make-up free, and she’s wearing a pair of sweatpants and an oversized hoody.

“Mom. What are you doing here?”

She walks over to Clark’s bedside and takes his hand into hers. I want to drag her away from him, but my feet are rooted to the spot.

“I wanted to see for myself how Clark was doing. No one would tell me anything on the phone, and I couldn’t stay away any longer.”

“Well, as you can see, there hasn’t been any change since I spoke to you last. We’re still just sitting around, trying to remain positive. I would have called you had there been any major change.”

Mrs. Collinson nods. She doesn’t take her eyes off Clark. Tears fall down her cheeks. I should feel sorry for her since she has lost her husband and son, and her other son is fighting for his life in ICU, but I just can’t. Maybe if she didn’t just stand back and let things get so bad then we wouldn’t be in this predicament now.

I walk over to the opposite side of Clark’s bed and sit down on the vacant chair. I wish I could just disappear until she leaves. Her very presence makes me feel vulnerable.

“How are you feeling, Kally?”

I slowly look over at Mrs. Collinson and stare at her for a few moments. I really want to tell her to mind her own business, but we’re at Clark’s bedside and I can’t be a bitch in case he hears me. He deserves peace and quiet.

“I’m okay.”

“Mom, why don’t we go get some coffee?”

I’m glad that Damien is trying to get Mrs. Collinson out of here. He clearly senses my unease.

“I want to stay for a little while.”

I look between Damien and his mother. He pats her shoulder, and she looks from Clark to me.

“I can tell when I’m not wanted.”

I don’t say a word. She leans in and places a kiss on Clark’s head, then looks over at me. I know she wants to say something, but she just nods and leaves the room.

“I’ll be right back,” says Damien.

As he follows his mom out of the room, I sigh with relief.

“I wish we had normal families, Clark. I promise I will never turn into our parents when we’re grey and old.”

At that moment, Nancy and Jared walk into Clark’s room. She instantly rushes to me and wraps her arms around me. “That witch didn’t upset you, did she?”

I shake my head. “No, she was okay. I just find it hard being around her. I can’t pretend to be nice. Does that make me a bad person?”

“Absolutely not. That woman has caused you nothing but pain and heartache. Now you’ve just got to stand your ground and show her that you’re no pussycat.”

I nod into Nancy’s chest as she holds me. I plan on showing the whole world that I’m no pushover. I’ve faced some of the most unthinkable things, but I’m here today. I’ll be here tomorrow. And I’ll be here next week. I’m here because of strength and determination. It would have been so easy to end it when I didn’t see a way forward, but that would have been the easy way out, and I’ve never been the type of person to go for the easy option. I just need Clark to return to me so we can plan a way forward together.

Chapter 38

Clark

Beep. Beep. Beep. The constant beeping is getting on my nerves. I can’t find where it’s coming from.

Where am I?

“Clark…”

I’m pulled from my trance by the sound of my name. I look around and see Colton sitting on a seat by my bed.

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