Page 97 of Bound By Secrets

“I don’t want to hear any more. I-I don’t want to think about it all.”

“Okay, okay, that’s fine. We can talk about something else if you want, or we can leave if you’d prefer that?”

I shake my head immediately, gripping onto both of them despite the pinch of pain that it causes in my hand. I clear my throat and take a deep breath, not wanting them to realise how panicked I am with the thought of being alone.

“I’m okay with you staying. I could do with some water, though, and maybe one of you could help me sit up so that I can see you properly without hurting my head.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll go get you some water and also ask a nurse to come and check on you. I think we were meant to do that as soon as you woke up, so I best do it now,” Callum says, chuckling softly.

He presses a soft kiss against my forehead and exits the room whilst Connor stands from the chair and begins to help me into a sitting position.

“You got something to tell me, Grumpy?” I ask, settling against the pillows he’s propped up for me to lean against. He sighs, slumping into the chair beside me as his concerned gaze traces my face.

“Well, with Cameron being dead and Colin arresting Dad, he deemed it safe for Mum and Crystal to return home. So whilst you’ve been in a coma, they’ve come back and are staying with Jasmine.”

“Has she been here?” I watch him shuffle uncomfortably in his chair at my question, and a myriad of emotions rush through me.

“We told her that we think it’s best if she wasn’t here whilst you weren’t awake. We wanted to wait until you were able to tell us if you want to see her or not… She did sneak in here at some point to check on you, though, and had a little run-in with Ryker”

My brows shoot up in surprise. “What do you mean she had a run-in with Ryker?”

“Oh, come on. We both know Ryker’s always been very protective of you. He didn’t think you’d want to see her, and he’s not exactly happy with her after everything, so some words were exchanged.”

I grimace as pain radiates through my leg and Connor jumps from his seat, immediately at my side and asking if I’m okay.

“I’m fine,” I huff, swatting him away. “So, does that mean you’ve spent time with Mum and Crystal then?”

He nods, a small and genuine smile appearing on his face.

“Yeah, well, I’ve spent a lot of time with Crystal anyway, she’s amazing! You're gonna love her.”

“Why haven’t you spent much time with Mum?”

“It’s just weird, you know? She’s been gone for so long and so much has happened. We’re different to the people we were when she left and she’s different in some way as well.”

I frown and narrow my eyes at him, sensing that there’s something else he’s not telling me.

“Connor, for the past few years, you’ve been obsessed with the thought of having Mum back in our lives and being a family again. I thought you would’ve been elated when she came back.”

“I am. I’m beyond happy that she’s home, and I’m relieved that she’s safe and doesn’t have to hide anymore, but after everything that happened with Cameron, it’s made me look at things differently.”

I reach my hand out to him and when he takes it, I squeeze my fingers around his.

“You’re curious about why she lied, and you’re wondering if she could’ve done more to help us get out of the situation before it got this bad, right?” He nods, and I sigh, understanding his conflicted feelings. “I feel the exact same, Con. I think it’s going to take us a while to build a relationship with her and when we’re ready, we all need to sit down and talk about everything.”

His saddened eyes lift to meet mine.

“You don’t want to see her, do you?”

I roll my lips inward and shake my head.

“I don’t think I’m ready for that any time soon. As much as I’ve missed her, I just need some time to process everything that’s happened lately before I sit with her and ask the questions that I need to.”

A knock at the door interrupts our conversation. A nurse walks in, a clipboard under one arm and a little white pot in her hand.

“Hello, dear. I’m Mabel, your nurse for today. It’s so good to see you awake! Do you mind if we just run through some tests with you and check you over?” She asks, her voice sweet and caring as she glides into the room.

“I’ll go and call the boys. Let them all know that you’re awake,” Connor mumbles, patting my hand. A spike of fear rises inside of me as I watch him walk towards the door.

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