The hardest part, in the end, wasn't the first time getting up, or walking again after being immobilized for a while. It wasn't the persistent, daily pain. It wasn't the headaches or the constant ringing in the ears. It wasn't that uncomfortable chair.
No.
The hardest part was when Tim closed the door to his home, Lucy a few steps ahead of him. The house had been cleaned from top to bottom, leaving no trace of the events of the past days. No one would have guessed what had happened, no one but them.
It was like going back in time. Reliving every second, every sound, every blow, every smell. Reliving that helplessness, that fear. Remembering that life hangs by a thread—and yet by everything all at once.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be," she replied.
Tim kissed the top of her head before heading to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. "I will be..." Maybe she was right.
But in the days that followed, she wasn't.
The nightmares were constant, each one waking her with a jolt, her body drenched in sweat, breathing rapid, trembling all over. And always the same reflex: gently placing her hand on Tim's sternum to check and count his breaths. Her only way to find a shred of inner peace.
That night, Tim opened his eyes. The spot next to him in the bed was empty, cold. He got up with difficulty and went to the living room—he knew he would find her there. Quietly, he approached her and sat down beside her without saying a word.
"You were sitting right there," she began, "tied up, head down, covered in blood. He forced me to come closer, his weapon pointed at me. And then I tried to fight back. We struggled, and he threw me against that wall," she pointed with her finger. "And then he pointed his weapon at you, staring me straight in the eyes, and he pulled the trigger. He shot you. My heart stopped for a moment. And then he turned the gun on himself. He pulled the trigger, just like that, still looking me in the eyes. His blood was on my face..."
"Lu—"
"And then I untied you. I laid you on the floor and prayed that help would come quickly because the more I pressed down, the more I could feel your blood slipping through my fingers. And with it, your life slipping away too. Tim, I really thought I was going to lose you. Forever."
"I know..."
"And the worst part of it all? I think I forgot you for a moment. I remembered you at the hospital. Lopez told me I was talking about going to get milk. Milk? Tim, milk? You were lying on the floor of your living room, and my obsession was going to get milk?"
"You were in shock. I think your brain was trying to be as rational as possible... Another nightmare tonight?"
"Yeah... It's exhausting. I keep seeing his face on repeat. And sometimes, I can't save you. Sometimes, I'm in your place, and you're the one watching me die. And sometimes, we die together. Sometimes, you stay in a coma and never wake up. Tim, I..."
"You should—"
"Make an appointment with my therapist? Yeah, probably. I thought I was stronger than this, but in the end... I'm exhausted, really exhausted. I asked for a few more days off. I'm not ready to go back to work. I think I need a little more time."
"You are strong, Babe. But someone once told me that sometimes, you have to be brave enough to ask for help to move forward."
"Who are you, and what have you done with my boyfriend?"
"You're a good influence..."
"Tim?"
"Hm?"
"The next step... it's moving in together, right?"
"Yeah..."
"And logically, I should move in with you, since I share my apartment with Celina, and I'm not going to kick her out..."
"Yeah..."
"But..."
"But moving in here is impossible, isn't it?"
"Hm. Living in the house where you almost lost your life? No, I can't. I can't relive all of that endlessly every time I walk into the living room. I can't come in here and feel afraid of finding you tied up in the living room again. I just can't—it's too much for me."
"What if, until we find a place that works for us and sell this house, we lived at your place? I think, for a little while, Kojo and I can manage living with Juarez."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"I love you."
"Me too..."
"Can we pick up Kojo?"
"Tomorrow... Come on, let's go back to bed. We've got packing to do tomorrow."
"Hm hm."
And the next day, as promised, the bags were packed, and Kojo was brought home. As promised, Lucy called her therapist to schedule an urgent appointment.
They moved into Lucy's place. The temporary but less-than-ideal solution wasn't catastrophic. Lucy found a sense of calm and peace again, and her nights became more restful. At first, living with Celina felt strange, but Tim quickly discovered a new side of her—someone who turned out to be a tremendous source of support for Lucy and, in some ways, for him too.
Before they could sell the house, Tim reached out to Isabel to get her consent, as her name was still on the deed. He explained the situation in detail. Within an hour, the necessary paperwork was in his inbox, accompanied by a note:
« Tim, I know the life we imagined ended abruptly when I chose drugs over us. I know what that cost you—not just emotionally but also financially, with everything I took from us, from you. I'm happy now, and you are too. You've found someone who has shown you that life can be so much more than what you've always known. So sell this house, and give yourself—give yourselves—a fresh start. You deserve it. Maybe more than anyone. Say hello to Lucy for me. Thank you for never abandoning me. It's time to close this chapter of our lives, for good. See you around, Eagle Eye. »
He couldn't help but smile. Maybe, deep down, he needed this too—to sell the house and start fresh somewhere else.
The house sold quickly.
Little by little, peace and serenity returned. The nightmares became less frequent. They both went back to work. Lucy was doing better, and so was Tim. Everything wasn't perfect—the scar on his body would forever remind him of that night.
Three months later, Lucy opened the door to their new home, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives...
"Are you okay ?" he asked as he approached her.
" I am now "
And she was.
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28.01.25. Hello, Hi :) The last part :) ! Take care of you and please leave comment and votes it helps :) Thanks
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