Page 16 of Broken Bonds

“God, I need to call the nurse. I’ll be right back.”

I run out of the room to call the nurse, feeling like my feet are hardly touching the floor. Luckily, I don’t have to take more than a couple of steps to reach the station, one of the nurses who usually tends to him is already standing there because I haven’t stopped screaming for help.

“Mrs. Kral,” she says as she approaches me.

“Brittany, Lionel woke up,” I squeal, removing the mask from my mouth and she smiles.

“It was to be expected,” she informs me. “With the reduction of medication, the doctor ordered, he’ll begin to spend more time conscious, although he will continue to sleep a lot.”

Yes, yes, that’s all good and well, but someone needs to check on him and make sure everything’s fine.

“I’ll send a message to the doctor, and we’ll be with you in just a moment.”

I remember the doctor was optimistic about his diagnosis, however seeing him open his eyes takes everything to the next level.

At that moment I remember I should probably inform Lionel’s mother, but I have no idea how to contact her.

I return to the room almost jumping of joy, this is truly a miracle.

A true miracle.

My heart is beating so fast, it might come out of my chest. Thanks to whoever moves this universe, thank you because my husband has returned to me.

We’ll have time to fix the rest.

We will have time. Time. One of the few things money can’t buy.

“The nurse is coming,” I say, taking his hand again. He doesn’t make the slightest attempt to squeeze it, but I don’t care. “I’m so happy, babe. You have no idea how much.”

The door bursts open and a stampede of people flood the room, pushing me against the wall. My heart races with excitement, knowing that this could be the moment everything changes. Maybe they’ll move him to a regular room, and I won’t have to follow strict visiting hours anymore. Maybe I can finally stay by his side overnight.

But as quickly as hope rises, reality comes crashing down. This new normal is anything but normal. It’s a twisted and unpredictable nightmare. And at the root of it all is Lionel, the person who has betrayed me with countless lies. I want answers, and I will not let him off the hook.

I glance down at my black Chucks, trying to hide myself from everyone else in the room. I don’t want to cause any trouble or get kicked out of here. But even as I try to blend into the wall, I feel his gaze on me.

Finally, I lift my head to meet his unreadable stare. His bruised face only adds to his rugged handsomeness, like a battle-scarred warrior who has emerged victorious. Despite everything he’s done, I still want to reach for his hand and whisper that I am here for him, that love can conquer all—even betrayal.

But for now, all I can do is wait and watch as the doctor points a light on Lionel’s eyes. And in that moment, it feels like the light is also shining on our shattered relationship, revealing all the ugly truths that were hidden in darkness. That while we’re together there is no mountain we can’t climb, or a river wide enough so we can’t cross.

But I stay in my corner, waiting.

Waiting for him to wake up felt like an eternity and now everything is happening in a rush.

The door opens and Mrs. Kral walks in, smiling from ear to ear. Her face lights up when she sees Lionel awake, although the doctors continue to examine him and take notes.

“Mom,” he greets her hoarsely. He sounds like he has eaten sand. “Can someone bring me some water, please?”

On the nightstand next to me are a couple of bottles. Before she left, Alexandra made sure I was well-stocked. Without wasting time, I unscrew the lid of one and, silently, raise my eyebrows, asking Brittany if it’s okay. She doesn’t say anything, so I pass it to Lionel with a smile.

“Thank you,” he whispers without giving me a second glance.

What the hell?

“Short sips,” says the doctor, as he checks the bandage on Lionel’s shoulder.

The wound is smaller than I imagined, but there are two others lower on his chest. They seem clean and don’t look swollen. I stare at his chest, as if for the first time. Before there wasn’t a single blemish that diminished its beauty, now the memory of what happened will be there, as a reminder.

Not to mention the scars on the soul, suffering trauma like this has to be horrible.

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