Matters Of Hearts

Chapter Two | When They Met Again

Chapter Two | When They Met Again

H A Z E L

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My hands were ice cold as I felt numb the entire drive to the hospital. As if my body worked on autopilot. The journey to the hospital was a blur. A detached memory that I couldn't even recall happening.

Somehow, this surprised me a bit. My reaction of sheer concern was something I never thought I could harbor for my father. Maybe I should have given the shaky relationship between us more credit. Because I was certainly more affected by the news than I guessed I would ever be.

Maybe I didn't hate him after all. Even after everything he did.

As soon as the taxi driver pulled up in front of the intimidating hospital building, I slammed a few bills in the driver's hand. Not even bothering to collect the change. I flew out of the taxi and towards the entrance of the building. With my steps quick and my eyes wandering, I stopped at the reception desk.

"Travis Paisley," I spoke in between my breathless gasps. "I am here for Travis Paisley. A c-car a-accident case." My words wobbled, reality and severity of the situation finally sinking in.

The nurse behind the counter nodded before searching through the logs. While it might have been a few seconds, the intensity of impatience made it seem like hours. "And you are, miss?" she asked, looking up from the screen.

"Hazel Paisley, his daughter."

She gave me a swift nod, along with a sympathetic look. "He's in room 123, the second floor."

With an incoherent thanks, I rushed to the lift. The clean scent of the disinfectant and the bright clinical lights of the hallways didn't ease my tension. If anything, they induced more stressful thoughts, making my heart stutter.

I spotted Talia before I spotted the room number. Hunched forward in a metal chair with her deep brown hair in a tangled mess. She had tear marks on her cheeks, along with streaks of mascara. Her clothes were creased, but she didn't seem to particularly care as she stared at the floor. In totality, she looked like an absolute mess as compared to the pretty picture she always presented.

Taking cautious steps her way, I placed my hand on her shoulder. She jumped in her spot, startled by my presence. When her eyes met mine, for a quick moment, relief flashed over her face before the look of overwhelming sadness came back.

"How is he?" I whispered, staring at the closed door.

"They are still operating on him," she replied, following my unwavering stare.

Turning my head towards her, I gave her my attention. "What happened?" It surprised me how strong my voice came out, a stark contrast to what I was feeling. On the inside, I was shaking like a leaf, feeling my heart thundering against my chest.

Tears Talia tried to keep at bay rolled down her cheeks again at my question.

"I-I don't know," she choked out. "I got a call, and they told me that Travis got in a car crash." Her body shook as the mere thought of that moment brought back the pain.

My brows drew together in confusion because her words didn't answer my query much. Just adding fuel to the fire of my burning worry. But before I could say anything more, she continued.

"There were college boys who brought him here after he crashed. I don't know much, but I think they almost crashed into Travis's car." Her fist clenched, her breathing labored. "They are talking to cops at the moment, giving their statements."