The Scars That Make Us (Second Generation Book 3)

Chapter 28

CATARINA

“Time to wake up, Catarina.”

Jace’s voice echoed in my head and I tried like hell to open my eyelids. They felt heavier than I had ever experienced before, but I finally was able to lift one of them. When my left eye opened, it was immediately assaulted by the bright white walls. I groaned and closed my eye again, but Jace’s voice spoke again.

“Come on, baby. I know you don’t want to, but I need you to wake up for me, just for a little bit.”

I groaned again and turned my head and finally managed the strength to open both eyes. My vision was blurry, but I could make out Jace. I blinked a few more times and came to the quick realization that I wasn’t at home, I wasn’t anywhere in the ranch. I gasp and try to sit up, but Jace’s hands press gently against my shoulders and hold me down to the bed.

“Whoa, careful there, sweetheart. You can’t go quickly.”

“What happened?” I barely recognized my groggy voice. I reached up to touch my throat and I realized that I had an IV in my arm. I had been in a similar position before. I was in the hospital. All at once, the memories came running back. Jace and I were dancing, my dad and mom were glaring at us, Tabby standing behind them with a snobby look on her face. We left the reception barn and then dad was arguing with Jace. They were screaming and yelling at each other. I thought Jace was going to punch my dad, but then Granger was there.

Britt and Bev were with security, holding my mom and dad back. Sasha and Connor, oh god, I ruined their wedding. All the thoughts come to an end and a flash of pain streaks through my head. I press my hand against my forehead to put pressure on the pain point, but that only increases the pain.

“Owe!”

“Whoa, you’re just full-on trying to hurt yourself, huh?” I look back over at Jace and he has an exhausted smile on his face. He’s still wearing the dress shirt from tonight, but he looks disheveled. 

“Is that blood?” I point to the reddish spots all over his shirt.

“Yeah, I’m fine though, sweetheart, this was from you.”

“Me?”

“Uh-huh, what do you remember?”

“You were fighting with my dad and Granger was holding you back. The security guys were threatening to kick my dad out of the wedding and he was screaming at them. I ruined Sasha’s wedding.”

‘Oh babe,” Jace leans down and gently kisses the top of my head. “You didn’t ruin anything sweetheart. Sasha wanted you there, don’t you remember? She was so angry at your dad for causing a scene.”

“Did I hit my head?” I reach up and press the sore spot again, this time more gently. I could feel the gauze bandage on my fingertips.

“Yeah, you passed out. Scared the shit out of me, Cat. You have to promise you’ll never do that to me again. I almost had to get a second heart transplant.”

“Jace Alexander, don’t you dare joke about that!” He chuckles, but tears form in my eyes just thinking about it.

“Oh baby, please don’t cry. I was just making a horrible joke. After the night I’ve had, I’m allowed to make shitty jokes.” He stands up and kisses my forehead again. “I’m going to go tell the nurses that you’re up. The doctor has been waiting to go over your test results and scans until you were up.”

I nod my head and close my eyes again while Jace leaves the room. He returns soon after with a doctor holding a tablet. “Hi, Mrs. Alexander. My name is Dr. Elias and I took care of you when you came in tonight. How are you feeling? I know it is a silly question, but I have to ask.”