Page 165 of Closer

I nod, although tears burn behind my eyelids, threatening to spill over.

The nurse finishes her examination. “The doctor will be in shortly to discuss your condition. In the meantime, try to rest.” She scribbles something down before slipping out of the room.

I turn to my brothers, my voice hoarse. “Where’s Sebastian?”

Landon’s eyes harden. “He’s not here.”

“What do you mean he’s not here? Where is he?” I try to sit up, ignoring the searing pain in my ribs.

Uncle Marc places a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing me back against the pillows. “You need to calm down. Getting worked up isn’t going to help.”

“I need to see him. I need to know what happened. What he did…”

“What are you talking about?” Levi asks. “You were in an accident. You ran into the street and got hit by a car.”

“Sebastian, he…” My throat constricts. “His father said…” I can’t bring myself to say the words out loud.

Uncle Marc’s eyes narrow. “What did John say?”

“He…” My hands fidget in my lap, fingers twisting together as I try to force the words out. “He said that my parents didn’t die because of a car accident.”

The room falls silent, the beeping of the machines the only sound. I peer at each of them. But instead of shock, there’s…

“It’s true?” It wasn’t a dream. He was trying to kill me. My hand reaches around my throat. “My father. He was strangling me, and Sebastian stopped him.”

Landon’s hand tightens on my arm. “Lil, please relax. You’re still in shock.”

“Stop keeping me in the dark.” Anger bubbles up inside me. “My entire life? I believed Dad was some kind of hero who died in a car accident.”

“Your father, he… He had his demons. But he loved you and your mother very much.”

“Not enough to stop himself from killing her.” Tears stream down my face. “Or from trying to kill me.”

Levi reaches out, his hand hovering over mine. “We’re sorry. We should have told you the truth a long time ago.”

I yank my hand away, ignoring the hurt that flashes across his face. “You’re damn right you should have. And now Sebastian…”

Sebastian.The boy with the green eyes. The one who saved me that night.

“I need to see him,” I say again, my voice stronger this time.

Uncle Marc’s face hardens. “Absolutely not. That boy is the reason you’re in this hospital bed.”

The monitor’s beeping quickens, matching the frantic pounding of my heart.

“No, he’s not.” I meet his gaze, my eyes blazing. “He’s the reason I’m alive.”

Landon opens his mouth, but the door swings open, cutting him off.

A doctor strides in, his white coat billowing behind him. He nods at my family before turning to me. “Ms. Edmunds, it’s good to see you awake. How are you feeling?”

“Sore. Confused.”

He chuckles, picking up my chart. “Well, that’s to be expected. You suffered some pretty serious injuries.” He rattles off a list of medical jargon that goes right over my head.

I tune him out, my mind drifting back to Sebastian. I need to see him. Is he even here?

“When can I leave?” I interrupt.

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