Page 4 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

“Sleep.” Camila presses a kiss to my forehead and once again I’m pulled under.

Light filters through my eyelids, pulling me from sleep. The aches and pains of my nightmare should go away when I open my eyes. Slowly, I blink them open to find that my nightmares are actually my reality.

The stark white walls surround me with a small window on the other side of the room. The fluorescent lights above me burn my eyes when I look up. I do my best not to, but it’s difficult when I’m still lying prone on my back.

The room is empty, hopefully that means Camila and Sofia have gone to get something to eat. Sofia had said she hadn’t been home since I arrived. When the door opens, Sofia walks through with the nurse from yesterday. At least, I assume it was yesterday.

“Good morning, Mrs. Romero,” she says brightly when she sees that I’m awake. “Your doctor would like to try and have you sit up today.”

It’s like she can read my mind. The images from my nightmares, from my reality keep running through my head. I feel like sitting up can be the first step in getting out of here and getting back to my life.

“Yes, please.” The nurse reaches for another button on the remote and slowly the bed moves into an angled seated position. I brace myself for how the change will impact my body.

“How does that feel? Any additional pain?”

When I don’t feel any of the excruciating burn down my back that I felt yesterday, relief flows through me. “No. It feels good to be upright again.”

“I bet.” She runs through checking my vitals and once again reminds me to call if I need anything, if not, she’ll be in later to check on me.

“Thank you.”

Sofia reaches for me and stops herself. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’re not going to hurt me if you’re careful.”

Sofia wraps her arms lightly around my neck, resting her head on my shoulder. I pat her on the back. No words are needed.

At least until we both hear, “Sofia, do not hurt Scarlett.”

Sofia lets go and whirls around to find her mother standing in the doorway shaking her head.

Camila walks into the room. “It’s so good to see you looking more like yourself.” She hands a coffee to Sofia.

“Thank you.” Sofia takes a sip, and her shoulders relax. There are still dark circles under her eyes, which I know is my fault. My fault and yet I still can’t explain any of it.

“Has the doctor been in?” Camila asks pulling the chair up to the side of the bed.

“Not yet. The nurse came in earlier to lift the bed.”

“How does it feel?” Her brows draw together in concern.

“Feels great actually. Nothing like laying on your back while everyone is standing to make you feel weak.”

Camila lays her hand over mine. “You’re not weak. With everything you’ve been through. Most people wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Camila and Sofia were still here which left me wondering about Nico once again.

“Is Nico coming today?” Camila and Sofia both look at each other and back at me. Sofia is the first one to answer. “No, sweetheart. He hasn’t mentioned coming by. He did call this morning and asked if we would come back to the house this morning.”

Camila squeezes my hand. “We told him, not until you wake up. We didn’t want to leave you all alone.”

I give Camila my best smile, but I know every inch of it is fake. Nico called Sofia, not me.

Doesn’t he trust me?

I thought after that we’d been through the last few weeks, the barriers between us had fallen. That for the first time since I met Nico, we were on the same page. Apparently, I was very wrong.

Sofia and Camila finish their coffee, all while changing the subject and focusing on my recovery. I made them worry enough the last few days; I won’t put my worries onto them. I listen politely.

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