Page 94 of Deadly Secrets

“I feel fine. I’m tired, but it’s okay.” I turned my head to Noah and asked him, “What did the note say?”

“Here.” Noah retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket and passed it to me. Careful not to pull out the IV in the back of my left hand, I reached for the note and unfolded it.

Sometimes revenge tastes like poison.

“The police have reviewed the security camera footage at my house. However, a significant number of people, including guests and staff, came and went that day. It might take them a while to narrow down a full list of potential suspects,” William said.

“Do they have any?”

“Me, to begin with. They interviewed all the waitstaff from the party and the alcohol supplier company. But honestly, it could have been anyone,” William remarked.

“They’re also questioning Maggie as we speak,” Zayn added.

“Let’s leave the police to do their job. I’ll let them know you’re awake, but I’ll ask them to give you more time to wake up. Don’t talk to them unless there’s a lawyer present with you, okay?”

“Thank you, William.”

“Boys, Sienna needs some rest, and you need to eat something,” William advised as he gently squeezed Noah’s and Zayn’s shoulders. He then motioned with his head, indicating to Ander that he should leave the room.

“Actually, I’d like to speak with Sienna. I’ll call you when I leave the hospital, but text me where you’re going for food, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay, man. Get some rest, princess. We’ll come by later,” Noah stated.

He waved his hand, but Zayn came closer and gently kissed my forehead, saying, “See you later, babe.”

“Thank you, guys,” I responded.

Noah and Zayn grabbed their backpacks and left the room with William.

The silence stretched for a few minutes, and I used the opportunity to drink more water.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Ander admitted, his hand rubbing his tired face. He looked wiped out, and I wondered how much sleep he had managed since I arrived at the hospital.

“Well, how about you tell me how long I’ve been unconscious?” I suggested.

“You’ve been in the ICU for a couple of days, but once they got you stable, they moved you to the regular ward.”

“So it’s…”

“January fourth. Yep.”

“Wow. And to think that my parents were worried last year because I slept through January first.” I chuckled.

“Sienna, I thought I’d lost you.” I glanced at Ander and noticed tears streaming down his cheeks. “I thought I’d never see or kiss you again, and that thought consumed me the past few days.”

I cupped Ander’s face with both hands, gently wiping away the tears streaking his cheeks with my thumbs.

“Shhh, I’m okay now. I’m here with you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Ander held the wrist that didn’t have the IV line and confessed, “I don’t care, Sienna. I’ve been thinking about it, and I don’t fucking care. I don’t care if you also have feelings for Noah and Zayn. When I thought you might not make it, it tore me apart. I was fucking scared. I can’t picture my life without you, and I can’t deny it any longer, Sienna. I’m in love with you. You have no idea how much I fucking love you. I’ll gladly take any piece of your heart you’re willing to give me. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”

He softly kissed me. My heart burned with all the things I wanted to say, but I didn’t have the will to break that kiss. Each gentle stroke of his tongue brought me back to life, and I met every single one with all the love I knew resided in my heart.

“I love you, Ander,” I replied between kisses. “I was already in love with you the first time we kissed. I’ve told you before—I’m yours.”

Our kiss was interrupted by three knocks on the door.

I tried to calm my breathing before Ander asked whoever was on the other side to come in.

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