Guarding Love

Chapter 25 - Heartbeat

"We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure."- Cesar Chavez

Scarlett POV

1 Week Ago

My head is pounding. I open my eyes, but everything is pitch black. Darkness surrounds me, engulfing my senses and leaving me disoriented. Panic starts to rise within me. What's going on? The last thing I remember is the car crash, Y/N fighting, and me collapsing. "Babe, I'm going to save our daughter. I need you to wake up, Okay? I need my wife, and our daughters need their mom." I hear Y/N sob, but her voice sounds so distant.

My mind has difficulty registering everything she says, but did she say, wife? At this moment, I want nothing more than to have her in my life forever. She sounds so broken. I need to comfort her, and I need to wake up. But my body feels heavy and unresponsive, as if submerged in water, unable to break free. The water presses against me, making it difficult to breathe. My heart raced, and every muscle in my body ached with the effort. Something clamps around my wrists, and I struggle against the invisible restraints, thrashing my limbs to break free.

Time passes, and I am only aware of it whenever Y/N is around since she sings to me. When she's not singing, I assume she's sleeping or away. Anytime someone else talks, they feel more distant. It is as if my body is only tuned to Y/N, and no one else matters. Nonetheless, time feels distorted and muffled, like distant echoes of a forgotten melody. Each passing moment feels like an eternity as I try to escape this watery prison.

In my mind, I feel myself swimming towards the surface, my limbs aching with each stroke and effort. The pressure builds with each passing moment, crushing my chest and making breathing difficult. It becomes a battle against my own body as if my mind and physical being are at odds. There are moments when I can almost taste the surface when clarity washes over me like a ray of sunlight piercing through the depths, usually when Y/N is singing or talking. But just as quickly as it comes, it slips away, leaving me yearning for more. It is a cruel tease, a reminder of what I am missing.

3 Days Ago

As the days pass, the struggle becomes more intense. The weight that holds me down feels heavier, like the water is closing around me. But I refuse to surrender. I summon every ounce of willpower within me, pushing against the invisible barrier that separates me from consciousness.

"...you talk to her about your new album and those songs you wrote about her overseas?" A soft female voice pierces the barrier, and I search my memories to figure out who it is.

"No. Not yet, Tay." Y/N's voice sounds tired like she hasn't slept in days.

"Why not?" Instantly, I recognized Chris' voice. I've known him for years. He's always been there and always been my older brother, but he's acting like my younger brother.

"I've been focused on her and the baby. Literally, the album is just a hobby. Honestly, I was going to play the album for her this week, but then-" Y/N huffs in annoyance, and it's hard to tell if she's annoyed with me or just the situation.

"Honestly, I think it's your best one," Taylor replies excitedly. Y/N only responds with a chuckle.

"I agree. You poured your soul into this one. I can feel the heartbreak and lust in it." Says a younger woman with a soft, pure voice who I recognize as Kelsie.

"Ohh, that's high praise from these two." A male voice breaks the conversation, and I immediately recognize it as my brother Hunter. There's excitement with a hint of tiredness in his voice. "I want to hear."