Page 6 of Crash into me

The gesture crushes my soul as he brings his lips to my ear. “Only love can hurt like this,” he cries. “Come back to me, Freckles.”

“My name is Skyler, not Freckles.” I stick my nose up at him and watch the absolute devastation that takes over his face.

I look to Kate, trying everything I can to make this moment stop. My best friend appears weary, concerned, and tired.

“I want to go home,” I state.

“May I speak with Ms. Jennings alone for a moment before we discharge?” the nurse asks.

Everyone exits, along with Foster, who turns back one more time to look at me. I stare past him.

The sweet, wrinkled nurse walks up to me, placing a caring hand on my shoulder. “Your memory may not come back in sections; it may come back in waves, or not at all. But I will tell you this: Your parents are not good people, Skyler.”

I don’t respond, I can’t … I don’t know what to say.

“I’m Foster’s grandmother. My name is Adeline.” She looks away. “I’m the one who has been taking care of you.”

“I know. I recognized your voice.”

She curls her brow at my admission.

“I remember everything, including going to Mrs. Rita’s and learning about Sophie’s heart failure.” Deep breath in, deep breath out. “I never forgot, but the truth is my father is wealthy, and Sophie’s life is more important than me living with them for just a little longer.

An audible gasp escapes her. “I’m going to tell Foster.”

I shake my head. “You will not. I appreciate you trying to help, but my father’s not a dumb man.” Her hands wrap around my arm, and mine wrap around hers. I don’t know who's holding on stronger. “I made a deal with the devil just now, and he will have tricks up his sleeve. I can’t risk what those tricks might hold.”

“Skyler …”

I look into her eyes, deeper and more serious than I’ve ever looked at anyone. “I’m doing this to save Sophie.”

She shakes her head; her glossy midnight eyes match Foster’s, and I nearly lose myself staring into them. “Dear, I can’t. I can’t do this to you.” I can hear her resolve already faltering, which is exactly what I need. I have to take advantage of her worry. Her orphaned granddaughter is lying on the bed, dying. She has to understand this is the only way.

“If I pull back now,”—I gesture my hand to Sophie’s still body—“she will die.”

“How can I hold onto a secret like this from my grandson? He’s been here every second.”

“I know.” A tear trickles down my cheek. “But imagine the secret I’m holding on to, going home with them and leaving Foster behind.” I don’t mention Envy’s pregnancy announcement; I can’t bear to think about that right now. “Don’t let my sacrifice go unnoticed. He can never find out.”

“You can come back to him, dear.”

I shake my head. “You know better than I do. How much is a transplant? The surgeries? The years of after care? This will go on and on and I refuse to allow Foster to sit idly by waiting for me.”

The room grows still; a cold current rushing from the air conditioner is the only movement. Adeline looks around my face. “But what about you, Skyler?”

“What about me? I get to go home to a perfect mansion, full of wealth and the opportunity to be anything I want to be.” I tell myself this more than her.

“At what cost?”

We both look to her hospital bed. “The honor of knowing Sophie isalive.”

She doesn’t try to argue. Instead, she writes something down on a piece of paper and hands it to me. “Here’s my number. If you need anything, call me. I hate that you’re staying with them.”

“It won’t be long,” I showcase one of my perfectly practiced grins, the smiles I glued on and studied in my reflection my entire life. “It won’t be forever.”

It won’t be long until I’m married off to Warren.

4

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