I must’ve nodded off because I’m startled awake when someone places a blanket around my shoulders. My head snaps up, and when I see Mrs. West, I relax.
“I’ve brought you something to eat, Jase,” she whispers.
I can’t stomach anything right now. “I’ll have it later.”
“At least drink something then,” she says hopefully.
I reach for the bottle of water on the bedside table and take a sip, so Mrs. West will stop fretting.
She gives me a weak smile as she sits down on the opposite side of the bed, and her eyes scan over her daughter. I watch as every bruise on Mila’s snowy skin slams a painfilled blow into her mother.
She reaches for Mila’s hair and lovingly combs her fingers through the black strands. “At least you got to Mila before he could…” She swallows hard, and tears spill over her cheeks.
It takes a moment for her words to sink in, and for the first time since this nightmare started, I feel hopeful. “He didn’t rape her?” I ask, a desperate need to know filling me.
Mrs. West shakes her head. “No.” Reaching across Mila, she places her hand on mine and gives it a squeeze.
I’m filled with overwhelming relief that Justin didn’t rape Mila. My eyes scan over her, and the relief quickly evaporates.
Mr. West walks into the room, and coming over to me, he places his hand on my shoulder. “Your parents are in the waiting room. You should go and set their minds at ease.”
My instant reaction is to say no, and my eyes dart back to Mila’s sleeping face. I can’t even bring myself to let go of her hand.
“It will give me some time with Mila. You should actually go home and get some sleep. Mila’s peaceful right now. Go shower and sleep so you can be rested when you come back later.”
After warring with myself for a minute, I answer, “I’ll only shower then come right back.” I lean forward and press a kiss to Mila’s hand, and it feels wrong as I let go of her. I almost give in and grab hold of her again, but instead, I force myself to my feet. Looking at Mr. West, I ask, “Do you have my number?”
He nods as we swap places, and he takes the seat I just vacated. “I’ll call the moment she wakes up.”
“Please.” My eyes dart back to Mila, and they linger on her for a while before I turn and leave the hospital room.
The echo of my steps on the tiled floor is too loud as I pass by the other VIP rooms. The white walls gleam too bright. All my senses feel like they’re stuck in overdrive, and when I walk into the waiting room, and my eyes land on my father, it feels like something snaps inside me. It releases a tidal wave of emotions, and Dad must see it all on my face because he darts forward and wraps me up in a tight embrace. I grab hold of the shirt on his back as my world once again spins out of control.
“God, son,” he breathes. “I’m so sorry.” He pushes me away, and his worried gaze searches over me before he yanks me back to him.
After a moment, he lets go of me so Mom can have her turn. The moment I feel my mother’s arms around me, my throat tightens to the point of cramping, and my eyes begin to burn.
Mom pulls back and lifts her hand to my cheek, where she places it in a lovingly soft touch. “How are you holding up?”
I can only shake my head, which has her embracing me again. “I’m here, my baby,” she whispers, and it gives me the comfort only a mother’s touch can provide.
“I have to shower,” I finally manage to utter.
Mom nods and goes to grab her bag, where she left it next to a chair.
Dad immediately places his arm around my shoulders. “We’ll go with you and wait while you shower.”
Mom comes to take my hand, and then the three of us leave the hospital. Outside the entrance, we run into Ryker, Jade, and Mr. Daniels.
While our parents greet each other, Jade gives me a hug. Feeling numb from the constant bombardment of emotions, I can’t bring my arms up to hug her back.
Before she pulls away, she whispers, “Thank you.”
I manage to nod.
Ryker places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
I feel like a ghost, just going through the motions.
Because my soul is up in that room with Mila.
As Ryker, Mr. Daniels, and Jade go to check on Mila, my family and I leave the hospital. We make our way over to Dad’s car. I slide into the back and stare out the window as Dad drives us to the academy.
Not wanting to inconvenience my parents, I say, “You can just drop me off. I know you have work to get back to.”