“Yes. Either willingly or with security.” The doctor firms up on his resolve. “And the De La Fuente family need to leave as well and wait in the family room.”
“I’m his mother. I’m staying.”
“This is ridiculous,” the doctor snaps. “You,” he points at me, “leave.” He glances at the others. “And I want the rest of you out of this room as well. Until he wakes up, no one is allowed in this room. Enough is enough!”
Lucia opens her mouth, but the doctor hushes her, “If this room isn’t cleared in ten minutes then security will be here to escort everyone from the hospital grounds.” He goes to leave and stops. “You with me, now.”
“This is all your fault,” Lucia accuses viciously.
How the hell has everything gone so wrong? Since when has it been wrong for a wife to be able to be with her husband when he needs her most?
I know I’m not going to win this and as much as it kills me to leave him, I know that when he wakes he’ll be asking for me. Wondering where I am. Hopefully he’ll see through the lies that his mother is likely to tell.
Slowly rising on unsteady legs, I ignore everyone and leaning over Diego, I place a kiss to his lips. “I love you,” I whisper, and kiss him again before I silently leave the room.
My throat is raw with unuttered thoughts and protests, the swell of pain inside of me beyond tears.
The doctor talks beside me, but I can’t hear him with my own distress rushing through my ears in a rush of blood. I’m going to fall apart soon and I don’t know what to do or where to go. I don’t trust myself to drive without causing an accident so once fresh air greets me I start to run. I run as far as I can until I’m hidden behind a large tree at the back of the hospital.
I slide down, burying my face in my raised knees as I wrap my arms around my legs, and finally let the deep sobs trapped inside of me break free.
16
Kasey
After paying the cab driver, I head toward the entrance of the hospital and catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Watching, I frown when I realize it’s Rae running around the back of the building.
I hesitate before stepping into the hospital because something tells me that I should follow her, except I really need to check on my brother first. I’ll head after Rae soon and find out what’s going on with her after that rapid departure.
Tiredly, I head up to the second floor, which is where Mateo had told me to head to once I arrived.
Not entirely sure what to expect, the total silence that greets me when I open the door to Diego’s room isn’t it. I glance at my family and frown, which deepens when Mom and Dad exchange sharp words.
Shaking my head, I glance over at Diego, willing him to wake up. Then it hits me. “Crap!” I glance at my family. “Rae? She was here and now she isn’t, why?” If Diego is still sleeping that means my family are the ones that caused Rae’s upset, which I know will piss Diego off when he finds out.
“She left,” Aiden sighs.
“She’s our friend and we let her,” Sarah adds and gets an evil look thrown at her by mom.
Aiden moves in front of Sarah. “Don’t even think about starting on Sarah. She’s right. We all stood here and let you call her names and demand that she leave. She’s been my friend and like a sister for years and I did nothing to stop you. I feel damn sick for that. But don’t ever consider taking your anger out on my fiancée.”
“What the hell is going on?” I demand.
“That’s what I want to know.” All heads swivel at the sound of Diego’s voice. “God, I feel as though I’ve been ran over by a truck,” he moans while trying to sit up.
“Try a tree,” I drawl. “Here, let me.” I figure out the buttons to get the bed moving and then Diego is cursing with his eyes squeezed tightly closed.
“Fuck, that hurts… What’s happened?” He slowly opens his eyes and watches us.
I tug my ball cap from my head and run a hand through my hair in frustration. This isn’t going to go well when he realizes Rae isn’t here and the reason why.
17
Diego
I feel like shit and watching my family between narrowed lids, there’s one person missing and I have a feeling that I know why. She’d be here if she could and I’m sure that I heard her voice while I slept.
Breathing through the hammer in my head, I have to know where she is. “Seems as though no one is going to tell me what’s going on… Where is my wife? Where’s Rae?” I glare at Mom who looks nervously at Dad. My father looks up to the ceiling and I have a feeling that he’s praying.