Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology'
Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything.
We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her.
Every moment of pa...
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God, my eyes feel so heavy. What the hell happened? I blink slowly, the room swimming into view as I try to sit up. My body feels like a ton of bricks, weighed down by an exhaustion I can't explain. As I shift, I realize Phantom is sprawled across my chest, his soft purring rumbling through my chest gently. That explains the heaviness. He slides off, still half-asleep, but the weight lingers. It feels like I've been crushed under a bag of potatoes.
I glance around my room, trying to make sense of the haze. Jacques is sitting in a chair across from me, his head leaning back, eyes closed. He looks as exhausted as I feel.
Turning my head, I see Nicco and Gio lying on either side of me, their bodies stretched out on the bed like some sort of protective barrier. What is going on? Why are they here? I frown, trying to piece it together, but my mind feels sluggish, like it's wading through quicksand.
Then, I notice Alessio, Theo, and Lucas sitting against the wall, fast asleep, looking just as wrecked. My heart sinks. What did I do?
As if he can sense me waking, Jacques' eyes flicker open, instantly alert. He sees me looking at him and quickly stands, making his way over to the bed.
"What happened?" I mumble, rubbing my eyes, my voice groggy and weak.
Jacques' expression softens, but there's a sadness in his eyes that twists my gut. He crouches down beside me, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "We had to sedate you again, princess," he whispers, his voice low and filled with regret. "I'm so sorry."
"Did I go see her?" I ask quietly, my voice barely above a whisper as I look at Jacques.
His brows furrow in concern, and he leans in a little closer. "You don't remember?" he asks, his voice soft but tinged with worry.
I shake my head, feeling a growing sense of dread creep in. "No..." I whisper, my heart sinking as I search his face for some kind of answer. "What did I do? What happened?"
Jacques glances at the boys sprawled around the room, then back at me. "Come on, let's get you some water and fresh air," he says gently, helping me to my feet.
My legs feel like jelly, and I stumble slightly, the room spinning for a second. Jacques quickly steadies me, wrapping his arm around my waist, letting me lean into him for support. Phantom follows close behind, his soft meows echoing down the hall.
We slowly make our way downstairs, each step heavy and slow. As we enter the kitchen, I see Dad sitting at the island, his head resting on his hands. The moment he hears us, he snaps his head up, eyes red and tired. He rushes over, guilt etched into every line on his face.
"Stellina, I'm sorry," he says, pulling me into a tight hug, his voice cracking slightly. "I shouldn't have let you go on your own." The dark circles under his eyes show how little sleep he's had, and I feel a pang of guilt for worrying him like this.
