Page 146 of Marks of Rebellion
Carlos sneers at me. "Fine. I'll cancel the rehearsal dinner. You have today and tomorrow to rest. You will not ruin our wedding day. Do you understand?"
Tears fall, and I can hardly reply. I merely nod and turn into the pillow, covering my face. I pull the blanket over my shivering body, that's once again full of sweat, and close my eyes.
The next day is the first day since being out of my straitjacket that I don't leave the bed. But when I glance out the window, the trees have more red hibiscuses than I've ever seen.
28
Vanessa
Since the doctorcame several days ago, Carlos hasn't been in the room, and I've not left it.
At least, I don't know if he has, and I don't ask.
Esther watches over me, and Arja checks on me periodically. I've eaten nothing, and I'm not even able to stomach fluids. The doctor set up an IV drip, and I've been getting hydration from that.
On the day of my wedding, I wake up before anyone is in my room. It's the first time since getting sick on Carlos that I've not woken up in a sweat. I still feel hot, but at least I'm not dripping wet.
I remove the IV from my hand and take a shower. It's also the first time I've been conscious and by myself.
When I finish washing, I dry off and notice the wedding dress hanging over the door. Hives pop out on my arms again. They've been coming and going since the Carlos incident, and I do some deep breaths to try to calm down.
Pull it together to get through today, or there will be consequences.
I'm dying today anyway.
It's barely light out. I open the French doors to the balcony and step outside, breathing in the fresh air, and sobbing as I see what Hunter has created.
He's put bouquets on the lawn. It spells 'love forever' in cursive, and the red hibiscuses are bright, which is a stark contrast to everything I'm feeling.
Petals are scattered everywhere, and the trees have bouquets in the shape of more hearts.
I'm sobbing so hard that I don't hear Carlos come in. "Ah. I see you're emotional over my gesture."
I glance up at him so quickly, my neck throbs in the spot it always does from my injury. "Sorry?"
He points to the lawn and trees. "I know red hibiscuses are your favorite, and I'm allergic, so I wanted to show you how much I love you and am ready for you to be my wife."
No. It can't be.
It's been him?
Hunter isn't here.
Oh God.
No. Carlos wouldn't do anything like this. It has to be Hunter.
He said Hunter was dust. What if he's been dead all this time?
Grief overpowers and swallows me. The erratic breathing that is starting to be the new normal for me begins, and I try to catch my breath.
"Why do you look so surprised? Did you think it was someone else leaving you flowers all along?" Carlos's eyes are slits.
"N-no. I'm just..."
I can't finish my sentence. I'm so choked up, and when Carlos pulls me out of my chair and circles his arms around me, I swallow down the bile that's rising.
Don't throw up again.
