Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 83

Everything feels like I'm floating. My body is heavy, and my mind is foggy, but slowly, so slowly, I start to feel something. My eyes flutter open, and the light in the room is blinding. I blink a few times, my vision blurry, and as things come into focus, I see him—Rafe.

He's sitting right beside me, his face pale, his eyes red and swollen, like he's been crying for hours. I furrow my brows, confused, trying to piece together what's happening, why I'm here.

"Rafe..." I murmur, my voice weak, barely a whisper.

The moment he hears me, his head snaps up, his eyes widening in shock. "Teresa?" he whispers, his voice trembling. "Baby, you're awake. Thank fuck, you're awake."

He leans closer, his hands shaking as they reach for mine, his face filled with so much relief and emotion that it's overwhelming. I can see the tears in his eyes as he brushes his thumb over my hand gently, like he's afraid I'll disappear.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice thick with emotion. "Can you hear me?"

I blink, my mind still fuzzy, trying to make sense of everything. "I... I think so," I whisper, my throat dry and sore. "I'm okay, I think. What... what happened?"

He lets out a shaky breath, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with so much intensity that it makes my heart ache. "I'll explain everything later, okay?" he says softly, his voice soothing. "Just rest for now."

I nod weakly, still confused, but I trust him. I close my eyes for a second, feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling at me, but Rafe's voice keeps me tethered to the moment.

"I'm going to get the doctors," he says, standing up quickly, his movements rushed but careful, as if he can't leave my side for too long. "They need to know you're awake."

I nod again, feeling the fog in my mind slowly lifting, but still too weak to question it. As he leaves the room, I'm left with one thought—I'm alive. But something big must have happened. And Rafe... the way he looked at me, like he almost lost me.

The doctors come in not long after Rafe steps out, their faces a mix of surprise and relief. They check my vitals, their hands moving quickly, but their voices calm as they ask me questions about how I'm feeling. I nod weakly, answering as best as I can, though everything still feels like a blur.

I catch glimpses of Rafe as the doctors work, pacing in the background, his hands running through his hair as he watches them closely. His face is tense, his eyes red and swollen. I can tell he's barely holding it together.

After what feels like hours, the doctors finally step back, nodding at Rafe before leaving us alone in the room. The silence fills the space, and I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me again.

Rafe comes closer, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands gently reaching to cup my cheeks. His touch is warm, but I can feel the tremble in his fingers, the fear that still lingers in him. He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine, his breath shaky.

"You scared the hell out of me, Teresa," he whispers, his voice trembling with raw emotion. His hands tighten around mine, and I feel the weight of his fear, his relief, everything all at once.

I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine, the comfort of his presence. "I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice barely audible, the words catching in my throat. "I didn't mean to..."

"I know," he whispers, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze filled with so much pain and relief that it makes my chest ache. "I know, baby. But you're okay now, and that's all that matters." 

I nod softly, feeling the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. The weight of everything still feels too heavy, but with him here, it's bearable. He's here. And I'm still here.