the various chances

chapter forty three

Lily

The throbbing of my head slows down and I peel open my eyes to the light blinding me. I wince and shut my eyes a little to adjust to the brightness above my head. My limbs were heavy and aching. The light dims to my vision and I find myself in a hospital room on the bed with drips connected to my forearm. My throat was feeling scratchy and dry.

I lift myself on my hands and reach out to the side of the bed to have some water. With shaky hands I fill the glass and gulp down water twice. Wiping my lips with the back of my hand I sigh, close my eyes and let my head rest back on the headboard.

My mind goes back to me being locked up, Noah waking me up by harshly splashing water on me, making me forcibly sign the papers of inheritance that belonged to my mother. That piece of shit was really dumb to think I'd let go of my mom's right just like that. It all took one faulty or should I say forged signature for him to lash out on me because now that I have forged my own signature he can't acquire the money and definitely not when he is under Lorenzo's watch.

Sammy walks in the room, waking me up from the horrible replay. I smile weakly at her. "Hey, Lily. You alright? Need anything?" Shaking my head I ask, "How's Jeremy?"

There were so many answers she could give to me and I thought I was not ready to let the man go and so did destiny because even a week or more later I was back beside him. I was here and he might be somewhere near me fighting for his life and I couldn't bear the mere thought of him losing it all because of me. It hurt even when the realization was late, yet it was there. I love him so much that the slightest thought of some distress to him made my heart cry tears of blood.

"He's fine. The doctors will be discharging him a day or 2 after his thorough checkups."

I nod to her. We sit and talk for a while and she makes me go through everything happened. Jeremy making it out alive, waking up and finding me gone, Layla unable to trace me, Lorenzo calling Emma to ask about me, Emma finding the plane tickets I'd book for London and them tracing me down to the warehouse where I was held captive.

A few hours later, Emma walks in again with some food for me. It was evening when she showed up and not wanting to sound rude I asked them to leave politely while pointing out the fact that Emma has been working her ass off with Mr Langford while Jeremy is on a break. After a small talk and a little convincing that I'll be good on my own they leave.

My attending doctor filled me up with the facts like- I had been starving ever since, dehydrated for decades and definitely malnourished for centuries- cue the sarcasm by me. I listen to her carefully and agree on the changes she asked me to do. After she leaves, Mrs Langford walks in my room, softly closing the door behind her.

"Lily?" I nod, "Mrs Langford, anything wrong?"

"Not at all" -she shakes her head, taking a seat beside me- "I just came to check upon you."

I smile weakly with a nod, "I am fine, thank you."

A second later I ask, "How's Jeremy?"

"My stubborn kid" -she sighs- "You know, I've given birth to him, watch him take his first step, speak his first word, bring in his first medal, certificates and even degrees. I've seen him work hard and then successfully and wishfully take over the family business, turn it into a massive success and make his father super proud for it, but do you know what tops all of this?"

There is a little pause and I think I might've known the answer but rather keep my mouth shut. My heart beat thunders in my ribcage and blood pounds the wall of my hearts. My face was heated and cheeks flushed yet I shut myself up.