Page 66 of Night Wedding
“This is going to be a doozy,” Lucas added.
“What?” I stared at them. “Why?”
Pieces started to fall into place. “Please tell me Diana wasn’t here.”
With a solemn nod, Lucas said, “She was here.”
I winced. “Why was she here? Why am I here? What happened?” I glanced down at Nova. She stared back at me with sympathy.
Sebastian said, “Let’s get the two of you home. We’ll talk more there.”
He and Lucas attempted to help me up, but I wouldn’t leave Nova. She was too pale, too weak, and it was because of me, only I didn’t remember why.
We left this unfamiliar place and went home. Cassandra treated Nova on the sofa in her living room with some more infusions, including a blood transfusion to help restore what she’d lost.
Or rather what I’d taken.
Shame split me like a sword. I paced the living room floor while Nova drank orange juice and nibbled from one of the snack pouches that Gianna had placed on the coffee table.
“What is this preservative-filled crap?” Sebastian picked up one of the pouches. “I’ll cook up a real meal for you, Nova. That will help restore your energy.” He rushed next door.
Cassandra rose and told Nova, “Take it easy and call me if you need anything.”
I walked her out the front door. “Thank you so much.”
She said, “You know how to reach me, Diego. And don’t blame yourself for any of this. None of this was your fault.”
I stared at her as she walked away, still not knowing what exactly had happened. The most important thing was to make sure Nova was all right.
When I returned to her, I rushed to her side and took her into my arms. She gasped. I pulled back a few inches. “Am I crushing you?”
“Don’t worry, it feels good.” She wrapped her arms around me and grasped me in a tight hold.
I chuckled. “You’re hugging me like you haven’t seen me in months.”
She groaned. “That’s what it feels like, Diego. You have no idea…”
After we broke apart, I held her hand once more and squeezed beside her on the sofa. “What does that mean?”
She tipped her head. “Do you remember any of what happened over the last few days?”
So many fragments, but none of it made sense. Diana was in some of them. Why would I be anywhere with her? It all seemed hazy, and the fact that she was in them meant it was crazy.
I gulped. “Unfortunately, I see bits of Diana, but it’s not clear. My memories are fragmented, like shards of a broken mirror.”
Nova sighed. “What’s your last clear memory?”
When it came to mind, I smiled. “Being here with you and everyone as we celebrated getting engaged.”
“Oh,” she cried and placed her hand on her heart. She straightened and propped a pillow behind her back. “Oh boy, Diego. We have a lot to talk about. But before we get into that, I just want to say how happy I am to have you back. I thought I lost you forever.”
I took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’d never lose me.” I straightened. “What the hell did that bitch do to me?”
She gave me a sympathetic look. “Are you sure you want to hear this?”
“Of course.”
“It’s quite a wild ride.”
