The Faded Rose

Chapter 22

I didn't hear the paramedics come in. I could only make out their blurred shape through my bloodshot, puffy, crying eyes. Nicholas laid there pale and limp. A pair of strong arms pulled him away onto the stretcher, breaking my trance. 

"Miss. Miss. Are you coming?" A voice called out, I nodded my head and got into the ambulance. The van stank with the smell of chemicals, numbing my nose and choking me. I clung onto Nicholas as the paramedics worked on controlling his bleeding, they put on a bag-valve mask to help Nicholas breathe. They applied some kind of gel on his wound and sterilized the wound. I just sat their clutching the seat, my heart in my throat. As soon as we reached the hospital, The paramedics pulled the stretcher out and hurried through the double doors, the wheels of the stretcher and my pounding footsteps were the only things that I heard. 

"Miss, you cannot follow them," the receptionist stopped me with a manicured hand. My heart sinks in my chest as the stretcher disappears from my view. 

"Why?" is all I can choke out, my mind filling with horrible outcomes, each worse than the last.

"You must wait in the waiting room like everyone else," she said in a clipped tone and gestured towards the waiting room. I reluctantly made my way there and paced back and forth, my legs shaking out of fear. It felt as if the white walls of the waiting room were closing on me, making it hard for me to breathe. I have always hated hospitals. They brought back bad memories. I had lost my mother to death in this very hospital, I couldn't lose Nicholas too. My tears streamed down my face as I took out my phone and dialed Sky. 

"Hi Lee," she picked up after a few rings. 

"Nicholas... stabbed... Cooper Hospital.." I choked out, sobbing. "I can't lose him Nic.. I.."

"Calm down Lee, I am on my way. I will be there in a few minutes. You will not lose him Lee. Everything will be fine. He will be fine." Her voice stern, as if she believed in what she just said.

"No.. You don't understand, It's my fault... I called him to the cafe, if I hadn't then this wouldn't have happened. He took a stab meant for me Nic. I should be the one lying on that stretcher, not him. It is all my fault that Nicholas is lying there in pain, fighting for his life"

"Don't you dare Hayley, Don't you dare. This is not your fault. Nicholas loves you and have you ever thought what he would have gone through if it was you on that bed?" She said, her voice raising higher with a hint of anger and hurt at my words.

"I..." 

"Who is here with Mr. Lorde?" A voice interrupted me. 

"I am," I replied as I quickly made my way to the man in a white coat. "How is he?" I asked him, my heart pounded in anticipation. 

"You are his..?"

"His girlfriend." I interrupted him. 

"How is he? How is my boy?" A feminine voice called out, a very familiar voice. I turned to look behind only to find Sebastian and Adelaide. Adelaide was weeping, her nose red and eyes swollen. Noticing me standing there, they made their way towards me. A flick of recognition passed through the doctor's eyes. 

"How is he? How is Nicholas?" Sebastian asked the doctor.

"He has lost too much blood, the dagger missed his liver just by an inch. We have controlled his bleeding but we can't say anything for sure as of now," The doctor responded, his voice sympathetic. "We are doing our best, we will keep you informed." Sebastian nodded and with that the doctor walked away. 

Adelaide turned towards me, "It's all your fault. Your family took away my dear friend Isabella, Andrew and now Nick. If his head hadn't been messed up by you then he wouldn't have been so careless. He threw away all caution to meet you so that he could clear things out with you. You are the worst thing that could have happened to my Nick," she sneered at me, her nose scrunched up in disgust. I staggered back at the intensity of her accusations. Her words was like a dagger to my gut, it only strengthened my belief. 

She is right, I am to be blamed. It is all my fault. 

"Calm down Addy. You know it isn't her fault." Sebastian tried calming her down. "Sit down, Nick will be fine." 

"You don't know that Seb. You don't know that," She whispered a she slumped down on the couch. Seb said down next to her and brought her head to his chest.

My vision blurred as my father's words made its into my ears. I sat down on and brought my knees up to my chest and curled my arms around it. 

You killed my sweet Cecilia.

If it hadn't been for you then she wouldn't have died. 

You should have died in her place. 

You are a good for nothing bitch. 

I wish it was you who died and not her. 

I regret the day you were born. 

My father's words echoed in my ears. I covered my ears and shut my eyes trying to block out his voice. 

"Hayley... Hayley.. ?" Nicole shook me, her eyes wide with worry. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head at her question.

"How is he?" Just as she said that, the doctor made his way towards us. I quickly got up and walked towards him, closing the gap. Adelaide and Sebastian stood as well.

"How is he?" I asked, my voice throaty, breaking. 

"He is out of danger. He has not woken up yet." I let out a breath of relief. "But.."

"But what?" Adelaide asked with her eye wide in alarm, panic seeping in her voice.

"He has lost too much blood, the next few hours are very crucial. If he wakes up in the next 48 hours then its good else he may sink into coma." 

I gasped and sunk down on my knees, my hand on my heart as it clenched in pain. I felt my heart burn at the thought of losing Nicholas. The sound of my sobs filling the silent room. 

 Adelaide looked at me, "If you want to do something for Nick then bring the person who tried to murder him to justice. We both know who it is." With that Adelaide turned around and walked away. All I could hear now were the sound of our cries and her words. 

Bring the person who tried to murder him to justice.

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Hi everyone! Here is a new update. I hope you enjoy it. Please vote and comment, let me know what you think of this chapter.