Because of the Accident (Book 1)

Chapter 9

The words from our argument sliced through me like a blade, repeating over and over in my head as Lia left to tend to Miracle in the other room. The way her voice had cracked when she said she couldn't keep doing this kept echoing in my mind, making my chest tighten with regret. I couldn't let her leave like this. Not with things so broken between us. Not with this unresolved tension hanging between us like a heavy, suffocating cloud.

I stood up from the bed, the weight of guilt pulling at me as I hurried into the hallway, frantically searching for her. The house felt eerily quiet, the distant sound of Miracle's soft breaths the only thing I could hear. My heart pounded in my ears as I walked toward the door to Miracle's room, half expecting Lia to be gone already. But when I pushed open the door, I saw her standing over the crib, watching Miracle with an expression I couldn't quite read. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her posture stiff as she tucked the blanket around the baby with the utmost care.

"Hey, I should get going," she whispered, glancing up at me briefly before looking away. Her voice was strained, like she was holding back tears. She avoided my gaze as she straightened Miracle's blanket one last time, then folded her arms again, a defensive shield between us.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my mind scrambling for the right words. Part of me wanted to let her go, to respect the space she clearly needed after the emotional wreckage of the night. But deep down, something inside me screamed not to let her leave. Not with the air between us so charged, the tension so thick it felt like it could shatter with a single word. And despite the distance she was trying to create, I could sense it—she didn't truly want to go either. Not like this.

"Lia... please don't go. I'm sorry," I finally blurted out, my voice low, almost pleading. The truth was, I didn't want to be alone. Not tonight. And I didn't want her walking out when things were left unresolved between us.

Her back remained to me, her posture stiffening as if the words had struck her. "Floyd..." she began, her voice trembling. Slowly, she turned to face me, and when our eyes met, the tears she'd been holding back spilled over, shimmering in the dim light. "You and I both know it's better if I leave now," she said, the words raw, her breath catching in her throat.

Her words stung, but I couldn't let them be the last ones spoken. "Lia, I need you right now. Please just stay the night," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I stared down at the floor, tracing my foot in nervous circles. I could feel the tension between us, thick like smoke in the air. Part of me was terrified she would refuse, that she'd just walk out and leave me alone with my guilt. But another part of me knew that if she stayed, maybe—just maybe—we could start to fix this mess I'd created. "It's the least I can do, after you let me stay at yours. Just for tonight..." I added, sneaking a glance up at her, hopeful.

Lia let out a small, exhausted laugh, though it was more sadness than humor. Her lips curved into a bittersweet smile, and she shook her head lightly. "You're really impossible, you know that?" she muttered, half laughing, half crying. She swiped at her eyes, her fingers brushing away the tears that had fallen, but the vulnerability on her face was painfully clear.

"I know. I'm sorry," I murmured, taking a tentative step toward her, pulling her close. "You can have my bed if you want. I'll sleep in the other room."

Lia shook her head, still smiling through her tears. "I don't know why it's so hard to stay mad at you right now," she admitted with a lighthearted chuckle. For a brief moment, the weight between us seemed to lift, just a little.

Her laugh warmed something in me, a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. And then, like a cold splash of water, I remembered Autumn's words. You have a choice to make. Those words had been haunting me, hanging over everything like a storm cloud. What choice was she talking about? What was she trying to tell me?