Page 164 of Closer

I gasp for air, clawing at phantom hands. Dad’s expression cold.

Suddenly, blood splatters on my face. Once, twice. His grip loosens, and precious air rushes into my lungs. I rise to my knees, wheezing, just as Dad staggers backward, a dazed look in his eyes. He totters at the top of the stairs for a heart-stopping moment before his body gives way, tumbling down each step with bone-crunching force.

I wipe my face, smearing the blood and sweat, and peer down. He lies in a twisted heap at the bottom, unmoving. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out all other noise.

The boy stands beside me, clutching a bloodied rock in his equally bloody hands, his green eyes wide and unblinking, finding mine.

Did he bash—

“He was hurting you.” The boy drops the rock, hands shaking. His voice is so small, so fragile. “Are you okay?”

My voice cracks. “I’m sorry.”

I jolt awake, gasping. The room comes into focus, machines beeping frantically.

It was a dream. A dream. Right?

I try to sit up, but pain lances through my body, stealing my breath.

A hand comes to rest on my arm. I turn to see Landon sitting in a chair next to me. He’s saying something. But I can’t hear anything except a constantringing.

What happened?

I glance to the other side. Levi and Uncle Marc are here, too. Their lips move, but the sound is muffled and distant.

I flinch as Landon swipes his thumb over my cheek. My hand flies up and… It’s wet. I’m crying?

I blink, taking in the sterile white walls and wild beeping monitors. Clearly, I’m in a hospital. But what happened?

Did I go back in time, like Claire did in Outlander? I examine my brothers again. No, they look too old.

“Lil, it’s okay. You’re in the hospital.” Landon’s voice filters through. “Can you hear me?”

I give a small nod.

How did I get here? I scan my surroundings, taking in the IV stand and the bandages covering my arms.

The door opens, and a nurse strides in, glancing at the screens before taking my wrist in her cool fingers. I wince at her touch.

“How are you feeling, Ms. Edmunds?” Her fingers press against my wrist, her eyes fixed on her watch.

I shrug, immediately regretting it as pain shoots through my shoulder. “Like I got hit by a truck.”

Landon and Levi exchange a look, some silent communication passing between them.

Uncle Marc clears his throat. “You were in an accident. You ran out into the street and got hit by a car.”

I blink, trying to process his words. An accident? Why the hell would I run into the street like some kind of—

Sebastian.

The food. His office. The argument. My father…

Oh God, myfather.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the memories flooding back. The screams, the blood, the sickening crack of bone against stone.

“Lil?” Levi’s voice cuts through the haze. “You okay?”

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