Teach Me (18+)

Chapter Forty Six

Gianna's Point Of View

After spending two more days in the hospital, I was released. Eden stopped by my apartment and picked up some of the essential things I needed, and then I spent all my time at Eden's estate, and she never left my side.

Eden's job transitioned to a work-from-home arrangement, which allowed me to sit in on her numerous calls and help understand the client portfolios. Although her job appeared very stressful, she managed it well.

Eden's warm body wasn't in the bed when I woke up, leaving me time to try getting ready on my own, something I haven't done since I was able to get out of bed.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up. My arms trembled, but I managed to sit on the edge of the bed. The cool air of the bedroom was a sharp contrast to the warmth the blankets had held.

I turned on the hot water, letting it fog up the bathroom.

The steam began to fill the room, a thick, white mist that felt like a cocoon. I moved slowly, every inch of my body protesting as I navigated the short distance from the bed to the shower. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, pale, with the faint purple coloring of bruises around my ribs, the sutured wound on my side, but alive.

I reached for the hem of my shirt, my breath hitching as I lifted my arms. The sharp, familiar pinch in my side flared up, a reminder that my body was still a work in progress. I closed my eyes, counting to ten, refusing to call for help yet. I needed this small victory. I needed to know that the woman I used to  was still in there somewhere, under the layers of bandages and recovery.

Stepping into the spray, the heat was an immediate relief. I leaned my forehead against the cool tile, letting the water wash away the lingering scent of hospital antiseptic and the restless dreams of the night before.

"Gianna?"

The bathroom door creaked open, and through the glass of the shower, I saw Eden's silhouette. She didn't sound angry, just breathless as if she'd run up the stairs the second she realized the I hadn't called her into the room.

"I'm in here, Eden," I called out, my voice slightly raspy from the steam. "I'm okay. I'm just showering."

The shower door opened just a crack, and Eden reached in, her hand finding mine through the water. She didn't try to take over, she just held my hand steady while I stood there.

"You didn't wait for me," she murmured, her thumb tracing circles over my knuckles.

"I wanted to see if I could do it," I admitted, turning to look at her. Her hair was pulled into a bun secured with a claw clip, and she was still wearing her glasses, a sign she'd been deep into a portfolio downstairs. "I don't want to be a glass doll forever, Eden."

Eden's gaze softened, the tension in her shoulders melting away as the steam curled around us. The condensation on her glasses completely fogged her vision, making her look endearingly clumsy for a moment. She let out a long, shaky exhale, pulling her hand back just enough to take off her frames and set them on the edge of the sink.

"You're not a glass doll, Gianna," she said, her voice quiet, almost echoing in the tiled room. "You're the strongest person I know. But you were broken, and it's okay to let me help put the pieces back together."

I leaned my head back against the glass of the shower door, the heat of the water beginning to sap the initial adrenaline that had gotten me out of bed. My legs were starting to feel dangerously like jelly, a stark reminder that my ambition was currently outpacing my physical stamina.