UNHINGED

CHAPTER 4

Claire 

"This is entirely my fault." I heard a voice say regretfully. "Claire...please...wake-up. We need you. I need you. Please come back to me." He sobbed.  

Was that Vaughn's voice I was hearing? Where was I? Was I...dead? I wondered. The pain was one of the first indicators that I was very much alive. My head was pounding and it felt like my lungs were on fire.  

I opened my eyes only to snap them shut again because of the blinding lights. I slowly reopened my eyes, and then held up my hand in an attempt to shield them from the offending brightness. I then turned to stare into the eyes of my husband.  

"Vaughn?" I uttered questioningly. I reached for his face to see if he was real.  

"Yes.....sweet heart, I'm here." He replied as the tears rolled freely down his cheeks and onto his shirt. His eyes were red and swollen, as if he had been up crying all night. I just couldn't believe my eyes.

"I...I thought you were dead." I stammered.  

"I should have been. I would have been if it weren't for the bullet proof vest you always insisted I wear for work." He stated as he smiled weakly.

"I'm so sorry Vaughn. I never meant for that to happen." I whispered.

"I know you didn't." he reassured me.  "I love you Claire, but everything has gotten way out of control. I know that I've been pushing you too far, and I'm more sorry than you'll ever know." He choked as he grabbed me into his arms and we both cried together. 

I let out a sigh of relief because it felt so good to be held by him again. That is until I remembered everything, and that's when my body went rigid under his touch.

"Are you okay? Should I get the doctor?" he asked wearily. He desperately searched my face for a clue.  

"Get off me!" I said as I tore myself from his embrace. He only stared at me in confusion. "You heard me. Get you filthy hands off, and never touch me again."  

He looked as if he had been slapped in the face. Before he even had the chance to respond Paul entered the room carrying a bouquet of flowers.  

"You're awake! Oh thank god!" he exclaimed, as he rushed over to the other side of the bed to give me a hug. He and Vaughn exchanged awkward glances.  

"Paul if you don't mind I would like a few more moments alone with my wife...with Claire.' he stated.

"No you stay right where you are Paul. He's had more of my time than he's ever deserved. If anyone needs to leave it should be him." I practically yelled.

"Alright then, I'll go for now, but I will be back. There are many things that we need to talk about Claire." he whispered. "Do you need anything before I go?" he asked pitfully.

"Yeah, if you could go and hang yourself, that would be great. Thanks." I nastily replied. You could tell by the expression on his face that my words had hurt him. He didn't even reply, he just silently left the room. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost, but not quite because he deserved that, and so much more. 

When Paul was sure that Vaughn was out of earshot he pulled up a chair and raised his eyebrows in that tell me everything look. I swear sometimes men can be such gossips. 

"Okay. Want to tell me what that was all about?" he asked, leaning in, and resting his head on his hands. I then proceeded to tell him everything and I do mean everything. After I had finally finished he let out a low whistle and fell back into his chair.  

"Wow, no wonder you were shooting him daggers when I walked in." shaking his head in disbelief.  

"That's really low, even for him. I have even less respect for him than I did before." He told me.