Page 139 of All Our Secrets

“What the hell, Ethan?” the man snarled. “You’re scaring her.”

I was yanked out of the man’s body then. Like I’d been grabbed by the back of the neck by an invisible force. Ethan grabbed his head and apologized, still in a daze, when the other man told him what had happened.

“Theo?” Peyton whispered, but she looked at Ethan. And I wasn’t within him anymore.

With the heavy presence growing stronger behind me, I turned and stilled. The light was… welcoming. I couldn’t resist looking back at Peyton, though. The dead didn’t live with regrets or guilt. The dead didn’t struggle or carry the burden of the people who had died before them. The living did. I was dead, but I’d live throughthem.Whether those thoughts were good or bad wasn’t for me to decide.

I glanced toward King. “Live, you bastard,” I whispered, then froze when Peyton looked up. I swore our eyes met, because she went utterly still. She covered her mouth, then she blinked before searching the area around us. Like she’d seen a ghost.

Finally.Maybe she’d seen me one last time after all. I smiled, shook my head, and stepped toward the light.

Chapter Fifty:

involving my face

Peyton

Ashake at my shoulder had me jolting awake. My forehead tingled as I looked over my shoulder at the nurse. God. I had fallen asleep on my arms, and they were prickly from resting against Silas’s hospital bed.

I rubbed the numbness from my forehead as Roxanne, Steven’s wife, smiled. “Sorry… wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“What?” I mumbled.

“Becky’s on her way up.”

I gripped the white sheets and looked at Silas. He was so pale. I’d never seen him look weak.Ever.Eighteen hours. That’s how long he’d been unconscious. The doctor said that was to be expected from a head wound like that. He’d lost a lot of blood and had suffered a concussion.

“Don’t let her in,” I muttered after a lengthy pause.

The woman had the nerve to stroll in there the night before, saying she should stay with Silas.

“Sadly, I have no actual reason to refuse her. On paper, you and King are of no relation. Only a family member—”

“I am Silas’s family,” I cut her off.

“I’m not trying to upset you.”

“I know you’re not, but if Becky walks in here acting like I don’t belong here, you’re going to need another bed, because I’m going to lay her out.”

“Let her come up.”

My head whipped around at the sound of Silas’s raspy voice. My throat tightened as I looked at him. His eyes were still closed, but he wrapped his hand around one of mine.

He’s awake. I jumped out of my seat, squeezing his hand back. “Silas.”

“I’ll get the doctor,” Roxanne said, leaving the room.

“How long have I been out?” The raspy tone of his voice melted me like a chocolate bar in the summer sun.

He’s okay.My shoulders sagged, and my throat and nose burned.

“Fuck.” Silas groaned and grabbed his head, blinking slowly. Whatever he saw when his gaze met mine had the lines on his forehead softening. “Baby, why are you crying?”

Crying? The concern etched across his features broke me. The tears flowed faster. I hadn’t realized how terrified I was, seeing him lying there, until he woke up. Then the relief hit, and all the fear and worry seeped out with the tears.

“You scared me.” I hiccupped and covered my face.

“How long have I been asleep?” he asked again, rubbing my arm.

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