Deeper Healing

38| Done

Leilani Edwards

"You look drained," Jennifer remarked with notable irritation lacing her voice. "You could use an entire makeover," she added, handing me a steaming hot cup of coffee.

I slipped the blanket the police officer had given me off my shoulders before receiving the cup and standing with a sigh.

"Glad you noticed so maybe you could be kind enough to cut me some slack for at least until I feel calmer and less traumatised," I responded, taking a sip of the coffee right after.

After an entire night of panicking over the situation with Bryce and trying to get answers, every ounce of energy had drained out of my system. 

He'd undergone surgery through most of the night before being transferred into the ICU where he was being monitored. Even without being told, I knew his condition was critical and his chances of surviving were slim.

I thought I had escaped from the clutches of this man I was stupid enough to fall madly in love with until I had his blood all over me and I had to give a statement to police officers barely noting anything down. 

That reason had to be one of the many why I continued gulping down my coffee despite it burning my tongue as Jennifer and I exited the highly unprofessional booth where the police were stationed at the hospital.

"There is no reason to feel traumatised or anything dramatic over a petty issue that doesn't directly concern you, Leilani," Jennifer spoke calmly, her tone contradicting the acidity in her words.

I swallowed the coffee I had in my mouth so fast I nearly choked. "Oh," I shrieked sarcastically. "Maybe try having your stalkish ex dropping in your arms in a pool of blood, mumbling confusing shit before passing out cold then tell me it's a goddamn petty issue and no reason to feel traumatised over."

I could feel my blood pressure rise, anger settling in and replacing the fake calmness I'd been feigning all night till this morning. She knew I could easily boil over when triggered in certain situations, yet she seemed a little too keen to drive me over the edge. 

I could never get over this woman's twisted schemes without losing a couple of brain cells and wasting the few remaining on pissing her off.

"I wouldn't try that, Leilani, because I use my senses and better judgement when selecting the men I associate with, especially when it comes to intimate relationships."

I took her words much more offensively than she probably meant to come off and suddenly, all the frustration demanded instant release.

I chuckled bitterly to myself, washed down the rest of the coffee and discarded the plastic cup into a bin along the hallway where we were walking. One stride was enough for me to walk ahead of Jennifer before I took a right turn, standing still right in front of her.

Looking at her felt more annoying, given she still looked impeccably elegant even after a rough night and she somehow still had graceful composure.

My actions did seem to stun her, especially since we were in a public space and my stance clearly showed I could be up for our usually private altercations.

"We've already talked about degrading behaviour in public, Leilani and the last thing I need this bleak morning is—"

"Just go ahead and say whatever the hell is crawling up your throat, but you're swallowing up for modesty. Trust me, none of your words shock me anymore, and I despise it when you go around in circles with some indirect mumble jumble."

Jennifer folded her arms gently with a light sigh of exhaustion, her eyes lazily focused on me. She was about to speak when a group of familiar doctors and nurses passed by.