❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 72

Valerie

Charles' words hit me like a bird that just flew against the window.

Because I love you.

It wasn't the confession which confused me. And it wasn't the fact that he was still holding my hand that upset me.
I knew that he loved me.
Deep down, I always knew.

Yet, his sudden change of heart a month ago left me unsure.

My mouth went open a gap.
So many things that waited on my tongue to finally spill.

You love me?
Still?
Are you sure?
Then, why did you leave me?
I love you, too.

But no words came up my throat.

Instead, Charles continued, his hand tightening around mine with every word he spoke.

»I have never been so scared in my whole life.«, he cried shakily, his red eyes fixed on mine.

Seeing him like that broke my heart.
So afraid, and fragile.
Worried.

Like he assumed I could die any minute he wasn't watching.
Well, maybe he thought exactly that.
And it broke my heart even more.

He still cared about me.
I didn't question that anymore.

But... why?

»Please never do this to me again, Valerie.« His voice was full of sorrow, the pronunciation of my first name like I've never heard it before.

»Charles,« I whispered, my head spinning slowly.

»I can't lose you.«, he blurted out before I was able to continue.

My chest felt heavy.
But not because of my heart, but because of Charles' suffering.

I raised my other hand to put it on top of his and moved my fingers in slow circles.

»I'm not planning on going anywhere.«, I said with a slight smile before turning to the side to let out a dry cough.

»Are you okay?«
The worry in his voice was back immediately.

»I'm- I'm fine.«, I nodded and leaned back into the hospital bed.

»Do you really remember nothing from earlier?«
Charles asked, not looking up but at our hands intertwined instead.

I didn't have the intention to let go just yet.
It felt too comfortable.
Too much like how it used to be.

My mind wandered.
»Xavi gave me the headphones. I talked to you on the radio. It was really...«

»...Magical.«, he finished my sentence.

»You think?« A chuckle left my lips.

Charles nodded with a smile.
God, that smile.
My heart danced every time his lips turned into that happy face.

»I thought that, after our argument yesterday, you wouldn't talk to me in any way.«

I looked at him, but he wasn't looking back.
I didn't think so, either, I wanted to say.
But I kept quiet to let him continue.