Page 104 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

Fuck.

“Eddie, let's go inside, darling,” Asher tries to encourage her to move this discussion inside, realizing the same as me.

This is going to fuck Eden up.

“I’m so sorry, Eden. I’m so sorry,” and Catalina sits on the edge of the ambulance stretcher crying as the medic applies the last plaster to the cut on her chin.”

“Catalina. What happened?” Eden's voice holds a firm resolve.

“Storm. They took Storm,” Catalina manages to say amid her tears, and the weight of this statement visibly hits Eden.

It’s almost as if she goes into shock as her mind absorbs the words.

“Who took Storm?” she finally utters, and I can sense that the reality hasn’t registered in her brain, or she’s in a state of denial, unwilling to acknowledge the gravity of the situation.

“When I brought him back here, I typed in the code you gave me to get inside, but you were all still away, so I thought to walk Storm in the neighborhood first before leaving him inside. Then a van pulled up, and two men stepped out and tried to take Storm; he was barking at them. I think he bit one, but I’m not sure. But I tried to fight them, except they injected something in him, and in seconds, he was out. One man held me back while the other loaded the back of the van with the dog. Then, they drove off, and I don’t remember how I got here. I was in shock.”

“Why didn’t you call the police or 911?” I address Catalina directly, but I’m guessing that at the time she was probably in shock from being attacked. Judging by the empty look in her eyes, I think she’s still in shock.

She doesn’t get the chance to reply because my focus turns to Asher grabbing hold of Eden. Her whole body goes into a visible meltdown. She begins gasping for air, her trembling hands clutching at her chest as she battles against the invisible weight crushing her.

Shite. Her heart.

“Her heart!” I explain to the medic, grabbing him off Catalina. “Eden had open heart surgery when she was a child!” I yell, remembering years ago when she told us that she had a faulty heart valve when she was very young, which accounts for the thick vertical scar on her chest.

The medic remains calm and composed as he approaches Eden with a measured pace, observing her body language to gauge the severity of the situation. Ash plants Eden to sit on the stretcher, remaining by her side, holding her forearm firmly.

They begin to talk to her in a steady voice amid the emotional hurricane Eden’s dealing with. Except she’s struggling to articulateher feelings as panic and fear overwhelm her. The medic nods understandingly, acknowledging her distress.

“Eddie, he’s here to help you, baby,” Asher says softly to her, and I stand here watching, feeling utterly useless. I’ve only just realized Haze and Callum have rushed over, concern etched all over their faces.

The medic demonstrates a breathing technique and tells Eden to focus on her breathing. She follows his lead, attempting to regain control over her rapid breaths. He monitors her vital signs, periodically checking her pulse and oxygen levels.

As she slowly begins to respond, Asher, still holding her, continues to speak softly and reassuringly.

“You’re doing great, Eddie. Follow the medic’s breathing, baby.”

Gradually, the panic attack begins to subside under the medic's and Asher’s careful guidance, and Eden's breathing becomes more steady.

“Storm, he’s sick, he needs his med….” she manages to get between breaths.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Asher whispers gently, his voice a soothing balm. "I'm here with you. Just focus on my voice, okay? Inhale deeply with me."

As the minutes pass, Asher and the medic continue to speak in hushed tones, offering words of comfort and reassurance.

"You're safe, Eddie,” he says in a gentle tone. “I'm right here beside you. I got you, babe. We're in this together."

Slowly, the intensity of her panic attack begins to wane. Her breathing becomes more regulated, and the tightness in her chest eases. The medic maintains his supportive presence, never breaking eye contact. He slowly drifts to the side as Eden gains her confidence. She turns to look at me and raises her arm in my direction.

Without a second thought I rush to her. As the last echoes of panic subside, Eden hops off the stretcher and leans into me, her forehead resting against my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her as Asher and I sandwich her in. Our calming embrace seems to calm her further. The love and understanding between us form an unspoken bond that withstands the storms of anxiety, finding solace.

The realization hits me like a gentle wave, and I find myself in the midst of the extraordinary. Eden is my world, and the fear of watching her struggle only moments earlier has made me realize that the thought of navigating life without her feels inconceivable.

It’s not just the butterflies or the thrill of a new romance or picking up where we left off a decade ago; it’s a profound understanding that this woman, with all her quirks and imperfections, has woven herself into the fabric of my heart.

I’ve fallen hard for this woman and want to make her mine.

Never will I allow her to fuck off into solitary life again.

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