Horror crashes over me as I realize Fallon got hurt a hell of a lot worse than she let on.Chapter 13FALLONI thought things were bad, but they’re nothing compared to the anguish drowning me as Kao’s eyes focus on my face.
Maybe he can’t see well enough to make out the scars.
My hope is fleeting, and it dies a sudden and awful death as shock tightens his features.
“Christ, Fallon,” he gasps. “You said it was nothing to worry about.”
A searing pain rips what’s left of my world apart.
“Why didn’t you tell me the cuts were so bad?” he lashes out at me, his shocked expression quickly turning to horror.
This is the moment I feared most, and it’s turning out to be a nightmare. Out of everyone here, why did Kao have to see the scars?
I close my eyes so I won’t see his horrorstruck face anymore. Shame begins to burn in my chest, scorching the last of my femininity away.
Self-preservation takes over, and I rip my arm out of Kao’s hold. Trying to save whatever’s left of my self-esteem, I bite the words out, “Why would I? You decided I wasn’t good enough for you any longer the second you found out I got hurt. I didn’t think it would change anything between us.”
I know my words are cruel, but I can’t stop them from falling over my lips.
It’s also the truth.
Turning away from Kao, I walk into my room while trying to cover the scars again before anyone else can see them.
“Is that what you think?” Kao asks behind me.
“That’s what I know!” I walk to my dressing table. Picking up my brush, I begin to fix my hair.
God, Kao’s hand brushed over the scars.
The thought alone is enough to make my stomach roll with nausea.
“Fallon,” Kao begins to talk, his voice softer.
Mortified and crushed, I swing back to him and scream, “Get out of my room! I’m done talking about it.” My breaths explode over my lips, and I’m a second away from losing my composure. When Kao doesn’t move, I dart forward and shove at his chest. “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
Jase and Hana come into the room, and luckily Hana pulls Kao away.
Jase quickly shuts the door then rushes over to me. “What happened?” He begins to lift his hands, but when I shake my head, still trying to breathe through the gut-wrenching heartbreak, Jase stills, and his eyes lock on my face.
God. I can’t.
Shock ripples over Jase’s features, and the blow slams my feet from under me. I crumble to the floor as a cry tears out of me.
Hunter bursts into the room just as Jase kneels down in front of me. I try to gasp for air, but another cry completely robs me of my breath.
I can’t.
I wish I could just disappear. I wish I never existed.
Jase frames my face with both his hands, and he leans in close. “Shh… it’s okay. Breathe, Fallon.”
I try to shake my head as I gasp for air but my neck cramps up, and it feels like my lungs have collapsed along with the last of my will to live.
Hunter’s arm comes around my shoulders. “Come on, Fallon. Just breathe.”
I shake my head again, unable to think straight.
Hana comes running into the room and pushes her way through Jase and Hunter. The moment my feverish eyes land on her, my body shoots forward and into the safety of her arms. My arms wrap tightly around her, and I bury my face against her neck as I cry for everything I’ve lost.
Oh, God, why did I survive? I would’ve been better off dead.
“Guys, you can leave,” Hana snaps. “I’ve got this.”
“But…” Jase begins to argue.
“Leave so I can calm her down!” Hana yells.
Oh, God, make it stop.
I manage to draw in a strangled breath before another cry tears out of my burning chest.
Hana holds me, and she begins to murmur, “Everyone’s gone. It’s just us. I’ve got you.” She presses a kiss to my scarred cheek, and sobs wrack my body. “Shh… I’ve got you.” I hear her voice tremble and know she’s close to tears as well.
I swallow a couple of times and focus on getting air into my lungs, and then another wave of unrelenting devastation hits. “Kao… touched the… scars,” I stutter through my tears.
Hana pushes me a little back and says, “Don’t worry about it right now. Just breathe with me.” I begin to shake my head, but Hana quickly frames my face, and her gaze locks with mine. “Look at me, Fallon.” The expression on her face is filled with all the love she feels for me, and it lends my broken heart and defeated spirit strength. “I love you. You’re my best friend, my sister. I love you so much.”
Her words help calm me down until I’m able to breathe normally again.