Page 143 of Second Chance Mates

“You’re stable, Ava. But keep resting and take it easy. I’ll check on you later. Okay?”

My head attempts to move, but it’s stuck. Jaxon offers him a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll be with her,” he rasps. “Thank you again.”

When the doctor leaves, Jaxon perches on my bed and looks at me. He takes my hand and rubs his thumb into my skin. Lucy clears her throat. “Ava wanted to know what happened,” she starts. “She doesn’t remember anything past the market where I lost her.”

Jaxon’s jaw tightens. “Okay,” he whispers. Do you want us to tell you now?

Yes, I plead. I want this fuzziness inside my head to leave.

“Do you remember seeing Julia?” My brows pinch together slightly. I open my mouth, but Jaxon squeezes my hand. “Use our mindlink if it’s easier. Don’t strain yourself, baby. Take it easy like the doctor said.”

Julia? I thought I was confused before, but now I’m dazed. What do you mean Julia?

Jaxon looks to Lucy with hesitation in his eyes, which makes my heart rate spike. The machine beside me starts to beep aggressively.

“Okay, okay,” Lucy holds up her hands in defence. “Take a breath.”

I do, but my blood feels thick in my veins. I glance down at my arms. They seem different. This doesn’t feel right. It’s like I’m in someone else’s body, and I’ve done a life swap.

Once my heart rate calms down, Jaxon carries on. “Julia faked her death,” he states slowly. “And she kidnapped you at the market. We found you later in a building where she had you captured. She wanted to hurt you, hurt me, hurt us. She stabbed you, Ava. You broke a couple of ribs, too.”

My vision blurs. His words slam into me like a concrete wall.

“Y-you–” Lucy stops to find her words. “You weren’t breathing for like ten minutes, Ava. The doctors had to resuscitate you.”

I part my cracked lips and attempt to shake my head. I died?

The urge to itch my head is intense, but I can’t even lift my arms to do so.

How long have I been asleep?

“A few days.” Jaxon offers me a comforting smile, but I can see the pain behind his eyes. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. I promised I’d stay by your side. I’m so sorry, Ava.”

He raises my hand to kiss my knuckles, a cannula hanging out the back of it. “But I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere. Okay? Anything you need, I’m right here.”

I drag my tongue across my lips and part them. “J-Julia,” I croak. “S-she–”

“Mindlink,” he whispers. “Save your strength for your recovery.”

My throat swallows around the words as I hold his gaze. Julia, she faked her death?

Jaxon nods slowly. “She was never my mate, Ava. She cast a spell to make me believe we were mates for revenge. She faked her death to make me suffer.”

I close my eyes trying to digest all this information. Why?

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll explain another day. I want to focus on you and your recovery. Nothing else.”

Where is she?

“She’s been taken care of. She’s not coming back to hurt us ever again.” His voice is rough around the edges. “I know you have a lot of questions, but I don’t want to overwork your brain.”

I manage a nod. My entire face is melting from exhaustion, but I’ve been in the deepest sleep for days. I sit back while Jaxon and Lucy help me with eating and getting into a comfortable position. Yet, there’s a tapping in the back of my mind, telling me that something isn’t right.

When I wake up the second time, I’m not as stiff as before. I reach for a cup of water beside my bed and take a long sip. I glance across the room to find Jaxon asleep in the chair beside me.

I don’t know what time it is, but from the position he’s sleeping in, I know this is probably the first time he’s actively closed his eyes. It doesn’t look comfortable, but he’s out like a light.

For a moment, I don’t wish to wake him. I let my gaze slowly drag over his face. I take in every little detail. My mouth curls, and I release a quiet sigh as I get a better look at him.

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