The distant voices and the beeping sounds that surrounded me did little to alleviate the throbbing ache in my head. Every fiber of my being seemed to be in pain, and even the effort of lifting my eyelids felt like a monumental task. Slowly, I mustered the strength to open my eyes, squinting against the overwhelming whiteness of the room. White light, white walls, white floor, white curtains – it was as if I had stepped into a realm of pure brilliance.
A sharp jolt of pain shot through my neck as I attempted to turn, causing me to wince involuntarily.
"Raquel," a high-pitched voice called out.
I remained still, a sense of trepidation washing over me at the mere thought of the pain that turning my head might unleash. The muted whispers that had filled the room abruptly ceased, casting a spotlight on my feeble awakening. Someone hurried to the door, while the rest gathered around my bedside.
"She's awake," Mia exclaimed, her grip on my hand tightening. "She's really awake," she repeated, pressing a fervent kiss to my hand.
"Rafaela," Leonardo – my father – said, taking my other hand in his, his thumb brushing gently against my cheek.
The door burst open, revealing Adrian and a doctor entering the room.
"When did she regain consciousness?" the doctor inquired, retrieving a pen from his pocket.
"About five minutes ago," Mia responded, glancing at the clock on the wall.
The doctor nodded, jotting down a note on his notepad. He then approached the foot of the bed, lifting one of my legs. "Can you feel this?" he inquired, repeating the process with the other leg.
"Yes," I managed to reply, my attempts at nodding my head proving futile.
"And what about your neck?"
"It's rather stiff," I answered, a wince accompanying the admission. "Moving it causes pain."
The doctor noted my responses, his gaze shifting to my head. "And your head?"
"Mild discomfort," I offered.
The examination continued in this manner, a series of questions and responses that seemed to stretch on...
As the doctor departed, I cast a gaze around the room at the small assembly of faces – Mia, Adrian, and Leonardo. Ethan's absence didn't go unnoticed. However, it wasn't just their presence that struck me, but their attire as well. The men were donned in elegant tuxedos, while Mia was adorned in a stunning evening gown. There was an air of formality that hung in the room, an unspoken tension that seemed to herald a significant moment.
Leonardo exchanged a few words with Adrian, who nodded and released a sigh. Then, Leonardo approached me, his hand gently grasping mine. "Rafaela, there are other matters we need to attend to. We'll return after we've taken care of things," he informed me before nodding at Adrian, who had been quiet throughout.
The two of them exited the room, the door clicking shut behind them. My attention shifted to Mia, who had been avoiding eye contact ever since the doctor's departure. Something was amiss, and I couldn't shake the feeling.
"What are you keeping from me, Mia?" I asked, my words straightforward.
She stuttered, "Ugh...nothing, really."
"Mia," I called out slowly, pressing for more information.
She hesitated before finally admitting, "Okay, fine, there's something, but I don't think I'm the right person to tell you."
"Just tell me, Mia."
Taking in a deep breath, she blurted out, "Daniel is getting married today."
I blinked, processing her words. "Huh?"
YOU ARE READING
SERENDIPITY
RomanceRewriting!!! "You drive me to madness, Raquel," he whispered, his lips grazing against my neck. Despite the betrayal and anger within me, my body betrayed me as I found myself leaning in for more, a momentary weakness consuming me. "...I can't bear...
