Page 204 of Poison Vows

Because I want to be loved and I never want to be pathetic for love ever again.

Genuine love, even if it’s short-lived, has to be reciprocated and sincere. Not keeping one under bondage.

I don’t know how long I stay in that mindless state, but I’m strangely aware that my room is huge, sunny, and full of flowers.

I’m aware that pregnant Kimmy and Astraea come and stay with me in shifts.

Kim takes the night shifts. She cuddles me and strokes my hair, humming a silly song I’ll never remember.

Astraea spends most of the afternoon sitting in the garden with me in silence, not speaking unless she’s sharing news about my nephew, Knight.

They don’t ask. I don’t tell.

They also don’t tell me it’s all going to be all right. But they do fight, though.

The other day, Kimmy almost knocked out the doctor that tried to have me committed to a mental institution, arguing that I had mentally checked out and needed help.

“Help through drugs?” Kim snapped.

It took Noah and Alex to pull her back. Pregnant and all, she was ready to go.

“Who the hell do you think you are? You think textbooks tell you everything about her? She’s still herself! She just needs a moment, now fuck off!”

An argument ensued after that, but I looked away.

The next thing I know, I’m moved to another wing of the hospital.

Kimmy goes on and on about restricted access as she curses someone out. “He better fuck all the way off and go die somewhere!”

“Butterfly, maybe let’s?—”

“If you’re going to defend him, I don’t want to hear it. And if you still want us in your life, you should get on board! We’re in Ivy’s corner all the way through! She has done nothing but love that asshole openly and honestly! Fuck him!”

Sometimes when I look up, I see scary-looking men standing just outside the door. It reminds me ofhim,so I look away.

Grammy also comes in and sits with me, praying and crying silently.

Then Samuel showed up.

He took one look at me. I stared back, and then he left without a word. He hasn’t been back since.

One day, I ask Alex and Astraea about it.

They glance at each other with complicated looks on their faces. Alex sighs and then comes to sit by the bed and takes my hand.

“Spider’s out hunting, sweetheart,” he says gently, communicating what I know.

“Please, stop him,” I beg weakly. “Tell him everything was my fault.”

Akex only squeezes my hand and looks at his wife, who’s silently wiping tears away.

If my brother finds Emmett, will he tell him about…

Just as I think that, a world-renowned doctor I would recognize from anywhere due to all her impressive milestones in the medical field walks into the room.

My heart starts pounding so hard, but I keep my poker face on.

“We’ll be right outside, sweetheart,” Alex says, taking his wife’s hand and exiting the room.

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