Page 139 of The Widower
They’d burned parts of Colin’s body, driven needles under his fingernails, hurt him in ways I could barely even comprehend.
“His speech has also been affected,” the doctor added, “but it should return to normal with time. There was significant swelling in his face, which we’re managing now.”
“And… when can we see him?”
“He’s sedated.Once he wakes up, you’ll be allowed to visit.”
I didn’t even know what to do.
I sat on those hard hospital benches for hours, my mind spiraling, wondering how broken he must be—inside and out.
“They caught them.”
Henry’s voice came out abrupt, and my eyes shot open.
“Where?”
“On one of the roads out of the city.”
Henry had spent the last fifteen minutes filling me in on everything the police chase had uncovered.
After the alarm went off, the men stayed inside the mansion for quite a while, trying to grab as many valuables as they could. One of the patrol cars spotted them leaving in the same vehicle they’d used to bring us there, and from that moment, multiple units were sent out to chase them down.
“Thank God they were arrested.”
“Isabelle… there’s something else.” He hesitated, his voice tight. “One of my friends works at the station, and he told me…”
He stopped, unsure whether to go on.
“Just say it.”
“Rudolph—he’s Hanna’s father, right?”
“Yes.”
“The men who broke into the mansion… they killed him a few days ago.”
Almost two days. That’s how long Colin slept.
He’d finally woken up, and as I was about to step into his room, my heart started racing. I didn’t even know why.
“Be patient with him,” the doctor said just as he was about to open the door. “He hasn’t spoken to anyone yet.”
“I will,” I nodded.
I walked in quietly, moving closer to the man who had, in his own way, sacrificed himself for us.I sat down in the chair beside him and gently ran my fingers through his hair.
“How are you feeling?”
Colin didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on a single point on the wall.
I took his hands in mine, but he still didn’t look at me.He seemed distant—lost somewhere inside his own memories. He didn’t even blink.
“I’m here for you. I promise.”
Still, not a single word.I lay down beside him, resting my head against his chest. Despite everything that had happened, he was alive—and after everything we’d been through, that alone was a victory.
For a long time, I stayed there in silence, just listening to Colin’s heartbeat. Seeing him so broken, so quiet, tore at me. I’d do anything to help him find his way back to life.
