Perverse Riches

Chapter 6

Soundtrack: Bitter End - The Veer Union / Never Too Late - Three Days Grace

I came to with a scream. I was in a private, and empty, hospital room, with a bunch of flowers surrounding my bed. Through the glass windows leading inside Leo and Seth were talking heatedly. At my scream both of them ran in, as well as an assorted number of medical professionals and all of those split to different machines. I was breathing hard and holding my trembling hands to my face. They were bandaged? The large amount of people in the room was so scary, so terrifying! I pulled the sheets over my head and curled into a ball, shivering madly. There was still some stiffness in my body but I could control everything again.

"They're out. It's ok. It's just you, me, and Seth." Leo's voice was soothing but I still jumped when he touched my shoulder over the fabric. I was so cold.

"C-cold." I stuttered. A blanket was immediately draped over my body.

"How do you feel?" I peeked from under the bed covers and Leo touched my forehead gently.

"I don't know. Tired, stiff, dead."

"No, not dead. Never dead. Come on, honey. You're alive, breathing and well." I was, wasn't I? But something within me withered away with what Martha and William did. It was something so indefinable I didn't know how to explain, but the world seemed even darker now.

"They broke me." I whispered. Leo and Seth looked at each other warily.

"They are in jail, facing life in prison." Seth answered with what he hoped to be a firm voice.

"She's pregnant. She wanted to brainwash the new child to get the money." Leo started pacing angrily, but Seth came closer.

"It doesn't work like that. I'M the one in charge of any minor's access to money if you are not around. Elliot thought they might try getting pregnant again just to do such a thing and he made provisions in his will to prevent it."

I started laughing softly, but lost control until it was something loud, broken and humourless. Gods, they wanted to kill me, they almost succeeded in killing me, and it was all for nothing. My death would've been worthless. Worthless. The doctor came in and shooed them out but I still couldn't stop laughing so hard I was crying. I felt different when it finally tapered out. , angrier, harsher... and a new understanding of myself and everything that I was unable to explain.

In the next two days Leo practically didn't leave the hospital. I was kept there for observation until it was clear the poison left my system completely.

"I'll drive you home." He showed up at the third day with a set of clothes and a shamed Charlie behind. I hadn't spoken a word since the laughter but seeing him brought forth some emotion. The first since the fear went away.

"Oh my girl. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I didn't come here sooner. Rose had a heart attack when she heard the news. She's ok, no need to worry. She's well now and coming home tomorrow." He hastened to add.

I didn't want him to be away from her if she was sick. She was loved, she should feel that love always. "Go back to her, Charlie, don't leave her until she's good, and not even then." Both men stopped and looked at me strangely.

"Liv?" Leo looked at me strangely. "Are you alright?" They sat on either side of the bed and held my hands. I shifted in my sitting position before answering.

"I had a lot of time to think during the paralysis. You will never know what it's like to be trapped and waiting to die, hopefully, but one thing is for sure, it brings some things into perspective." I pulled away from their touch softly. "If you have someone you love you stay close to them, protect them, take care of them. You got Rose, go to her." I smiled at him, but neither of them left, they just kept looking at each other and at me.