Smelling the savoury aromas, my hunger returned in small spikes.
“I’m okay, Mamma,” I said. “And yes, I can eat.”
She’d arrived at the hospital minutes after I was wheeled into the ER. She and Papà stayed by my side while the doctor and nurses performed tests and discussed the verdict.
Before I’d fallen asleep, she’d wept by my bedside. “We were so scared,cara mia.We searched high and low for you.”
My chin had wobbled. “I-I was scared too, Mamma. I worried I’d never see you guys again.”
“Oh, my baby.” Her voice had cracked.
Seeing them in the flesh, a dam had broken. My tears wouldn’t cease. The reminder that I could have died and never gotten to see them again was too much to bear. They’d taken turns hugging, kissing, and whispering well-wishes to me. I’d leaned into their affection, needing their comfort now more than ever. And somewhere between it all, slumber had called to me and I’d knocked out for an hour.
“Just so you know, once you’re discharged, you’re coming home,” Mamma said now with maternal affection. “That’s non-negotiable. I’ll be nursing you back to optimal health.”
I wouldn’t argue. There was a part of me that wanted to be coddled and taken care of like a pampered princess after this godforsaken ordeal. “Okay.”
Papà cleared his throat. “Can I have a moment alone with Gabriela?”
“Of course.” Mamma combed her fingers through my hair. “We’ll be right outside.”
Hunter kissed my knuckles before heading out.
Then it was just Papà and me.
He pulled a chair closer to my bed. The dark circles under his eyes were a telltale sign that he desperately needed rest. He grabbed my hand in his callused one. “I’m so sorry, Gabriela. If I’d done a better job protecting you and gotten the right guy from the start, none of this would have happened.”
Not expecting him to say that, I shook my head. “Papà, please. It’s not your fault.”
“You’re the apple of my eye—my proudest achievement—and despite how much I’ve tried to safeguard you over the years…I failed you.” His voice was thick, layered with emotion. “We almost lost you today. I would have never been able to forgive myself.”
My face softened. No matter how much we bickered, I never doubted a day in my life that I was the most important thing to my parents.
“I’m asking you to,” I pleaded. “Please don’t berate yourself over this.” I wiped away the single tear that leaked from the corner of his eye and drew him in for a hug. “You’ve always protected me and you always will. In the end, you guys found me, no? I survived and I’m fine. That’s all that matters.”
His big body shuddered, clutching me close. “Ti voglio bene, Gabriela.”
“Ti voglio bene, Papà.” I pecked his unshaven cheek and whispered hesitantly, “Will you tell me what happened after I fainted?”
I hadn’t gotten the chance to ask Hunter and I wanted to save him from reliving the horror. I would never forget the look in his eyes when he found me. This day would always be branded on his soul.
I’d rather hear the recount from Papà.
His eyes briefly veered to the door, ensuring it was closed. “I arrived at the property with Josh, Cade, and our men. Hunter had you in his arms. We put you in the backseat of my car and I drove here.” He sucked in a centering inhale, pinching the bridge of his nose as if to rid himself of the image. “The Remingtons’ last text to me was that the situation is resolved. The Prescotts won’t bother you, Gabriela. Not unless they know what’s good for them. There’s security footage of what their son did to you and the other girl.”
My heart hurt thinking of Morgan. Dead. So young. “What about her family? Were they contacted?”
“She barely had a family. Her parents died years ago and she had no siblings, no aunts, no uncles. Only an old grandfather currently residing in a nursing home.”
It wasn’t fair. Morgan didn’t deserve this. “I want to pay for her funeral.” I gulped. “We didn’t always get along, but she was my peer. She figured out what Tom was about to do and tried to warn me before he killed her—”
Papà nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry she died and you had to see her like that. We’ll give her a proper burial. Don’t worry.”
“Oscar and Craig too.”
It was my fault they were gone.
“As you wish—”
