𝐾 𝐴 𝐿 𝐸 𝑁

Chapter |13| Daisies

K A L E N ' S P. O. V

I can't stop seeing the blood. It stains my hands still even though I've already washed them a dozen times. The busy hospital setting is somewhat calming to me now.

I've been here so many times, sat here so many times whilst someone I've loved has been in danger. It's all just normal to me.

It's sick. I shouldn't feel like this, yet I do.

Tessa's mother is giving blood. I wasn't a match, I knew that before, but the fact that I can't do anything to help her is killing me. My ass is glued to the tiny plastic chair that sits outside her room.

The doctor managed to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding but she lost a lot of blood. He said without the transfusion, she would have died.

I knew if she had, I would follow her. Living without Tessa isn't an option. The near experience of almost losing her makes me realise just how precious she is to me.

"Anymore updates?" Kiara sinks into the chair besides me. Her bridesmaid dress is stained the same way mine is and she exhales a heavy sigh, proving just how much of a burden this day had been on us all.

"No. Tessa's mom is still in there."

Kiara finds the strength to bark out a laugh. "She's going to hate you now, you know that? If  I know anything about that woman, it's that she knows how to hold a grudge."

"How do we explain this? How do I?" Then it hits me. I hadn't even thought about that possibility. Tessa hates the violence, the death. She almost died because of her association with me, with my family.

What if this was it? What if her mother manages to convince her to divorce me already?

No. I can't fucking think like that. I have to faith in our love.

"Don't worry. Dad will fix it. He fixes everything."

"You didn't see her Kiara. She knew. She said she would take Tessa from me. I don't think she'll be easily convinced."

"Dad will fix it." She assured, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You know, it's weirdly nice to see you so broken up like this."

"What the fuck?"

"I just mean...it shows you care, it shows you love her and while I'm completely terrified of something happening to my best friend, I know that you're right for her. I admit it, I had my doubts at first. Tessa is my person, and to see her hurt by my own brother would destroy me because how could I ever take sides?"

"I would want you to take hers." Tessa needs Kiara. They're weirdly linked with a creepy psychotic bond.

She grins. "That's how I know you're perfect for each other. The Kalen I grew up with was never this selfless."

"She's the best thing in my life. If I lose her..." I break down into tears at just the thought of it. Kiara tries to comfort me the best she can, but I can feel her visibly shaking too.

I wrap my arms around her tight, and let her cry with me. She almost lost her daughter. Now her best friend is in the hospital. My little is so grown up, it's easier to forget she's just twenty.

"How's Stasia?" I brush a kiss against her head.

"I just managed to put her down before I got here. She was screaming. Screaming, not crying. She was terrified. I don't think the image of her covered in someone else's blood will ever leave my mind."

"Would you ever leave?" She stiffens slightly, but doesn't move away.

"No. Aaron and I are too involved in this world. Even if we wanted to escape, we couldn't. It would just follow us. You and Tessa though...you can be free after this. You know this wasn't targeted at you."