Page 53 of His Forever

Seeing Paulie, he said, “Paulie, heading to the hospital. Can you get your mom and mine over there as well? I need to be there when she wakes up. I think I know what they were trying to do with this stunt they pulled.”

“You got it man. We’ll see you there shortly, going to settle up the girls’ tab first.”

***

Beep-beep. Beep-beep. Beep-beep.

She opened her eyes up slowly, feeling as if she had a jackhammer going off in her head. Worried brown eyes stared at her and she reached over to touch his face. “Zeus?” she croaked out. “What happened?”

“I don’t know the whole story. Yet. But Suri and Colton planned this to hurt us.”

“Why?” she asked as he brought a cup of water to her lips, holding the straw so she could get a sip.Ah blissshe thought as the fire in her throat abated. “Why would they do that?”

“My best guess is to try and break us up. She knew from her own actions that I cannot abide cheaters, so she likely thought if I caught you in a compromising position, she would have a chance. Him? I have no idea,” he said.

“Did…was…” she stammered.

“No, mi siempre hermosa, he was not successful. Chandra came in and stopped him. They’ve both been arrested and Marleigh? Youwillpress charges, si?” He watched as tears silently slipped down her face and his heart broke. Standing, he went to the hospital bed and maneuvered until he was next to her with her cradled in his arms. “Mi siempre hermosa, why are you crying?” he whispered in her ear.

“He…he…he…almostraped me, Zeus!” she sobbed.

“Shhh, sweetheart, he didn’t succeed,” he replied.

“I feel violated even though I probably shouldn’t.”

“Mi siempre hermosa, feelings are feelings and they are neither right nor wrong. Hedidtouch you without your permission, so you feeling violated is normal,” he told her as he rocked her in his arms.

She didn’t reply, just curled closer to him as she wept. Hearing the door open, he looked up and seeing her aunt, uncle, and father, he motioned for them to come into the room. “Marleigh? Everyone is here, beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. Glancing up, she saw the worried looks on their faces and tried to sit up.

“Princess? How are you feeling?” her dad asked as he came alongside the bed.

“Been better, Daddy. I’m so sorry I ruined tonight for everyone.”

They all looked at one another in astonishment. Why would she feel as if she ruined the night?

“You didn’t ruin anything, Princess. That jackass and that woman did,” her father replied.

The nurse, coming into the room, looked at her patient and smiled inside. That man had been nearly beside himself with worry, but had still commanded the room, and rather than tell him he couldn’t be there, they had all allowed him to stay with the petite brunette. “I see you’re awake,” she said to Marleigh as she came over and checked the IV machine. “How are you feeling?”

“I have the headache from hell and my throat is sore but other than that, I feel fine.”

“The sore throat is because we had to pump your stomach and the headache is because of what they gave you,” the nurse said. “You’ll be on a liquid diet for a few days, but I can get you something for your head if you’d like.”

“A liquid diet? Why?”

“To calm your gut down,” the nurse replied. “We had to pump your stomach and sometimes, that causes distress.”

“It’s okay, Marleigh. We know what you can have and are getting you your favorites,” her aunt said.

“How long do I have to stay?” Marleigh questioned.

“A day or two. The doctor wants to run more bloodwork tomorrow and if it’s in line, we’ll get you discharged.”

She looked over at María-Luisa and said, “I’m sorry, Mamá. If you’ll bring me my phone and calendar, I can get folks rescheduled.”

“Mija, there’s nothing to apologize for and if I understand this young woman correctly, you may be home tomorrow. Let’s take it one day at a time, si?”

“Marleigh? Look at me, mi siempre hermosa,” Zeus asked as he tilted her chin up. “I will be right here.”

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