Page 108 of The Retreat

“Okay, I’ll help you.” She gets the IV disconnected so I can get my shirt off, and she has to help me get it over my head. When I try to stand to get my pants off, I dry heave into one of those round blue bag things they give you. So I end up laying down and just shoving the fabric down my hips far enough that she can pull them the rest of the way off.

Once the stupid gown is on, she gets everything connected and shoves my ruined clothes into a bag.

I’m tired. So fucking tired.

I curl up on my side again, as much as I can, and ask Brittany to dim the lights for me.

She does and pulls up a chair next to the bed and holds my hand. How is it that this stranger is the only person to offer me comfort? What have I done so wrong that no one I know would even care enough to ask if I’m okay? Isaac would care. I know that logically, but Oliver would probably say something about me earning this. He hates me. Hates that I’m married to his brother. Hates that he’s been doing well with me, better than he was when Oliver ruled his life. Is this my penance?

“I don’t know why you don’t want to report whoever did this to you.” She takes a breath. “But if there’s someone who might come looking for you that is dangerous or that you don’t want to know you’re here, I need to know.”

“They won’t come looking for me. No one is in any danger.” If I thought he would hurt the staff or another patient, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell her. I would protect them like I’ve done my whole life. I protect everyone but me, apparently.

“Was it your spouse? Is that why you don’t want us to call him?”

“No, he’s a good man.” He doesn’t love me and doesn’t need more of my shit to deal with.

“Don’t you think he would want to know you’re here? That you’ve been hurt?” I can see the pity in her eyes. She wants to make herself feel better by not leaving me alone. She thinks it’ll all be better if I have someone to comfort me. Too bad I don’t have anyone but her.

“It’s okay. Really. I’ll be okay.”

I always am.

Do I have my phone? I should tell Cassie to be careful. Who knows what Father will do now. I didn’t expect him to attack me. Who’s to say he won’t do the same to her?

I get the CT scan done. Moving from the bed to the wheelchair, chair to table, then back again was brutal. My head is screaming, the world is tilting, and my stomach is pissed. I just want to sleep, but I’m in too much pain to be able to. My head throbs, my stomach aches, my head feels like it’s going to fucking explode. I can’t think anymore.

Brittany checks on me again, placing a hand on my shin.

“Uh, Brit?” A young nurse with a blonde ponytail peeks into the room. “I need you out here.”

She nods and pats my leg. “If you need anything, just hit the call button, okay?”

I nod and close my eyes.

There’s a commotion, a man is yelling that sounds familiar, but my head is too swimmy to place it. The curtain shrieks open, making me jump and my head throb. In the open space is Owen. I can’t see him clearly enough to read his expression, but his shoulders are tight with tension as he stays frozen in the little doorway.

Am I hallucinating? Is it actually Oliver coming to tell me I deserve this, and I’m no longer allowed to talk to Isaac?

“Colin.” Owen’s voice breaks.

“Owen?” Tears fill my eyes, and he comes for me like he’s going to reach for me, but I flinch back. I can’t take any more hits. Physical or verbal. “Please don’t.”

He freezes with his hand above me, not touching me, but so fucking close I can feel the heat from his palm. I’m desperate to feel his skin on mine, but if he comforts me now, it’ll destroy what little piece of me I still have when he leaves again.

“Who did this to you?”

THIRTY-SIX

Owen

“He left me.”

He.

Left.

Me.

---