That makes me snort, barely, but then my voice drops again. “And Anne?”
His expression softens further. “She was surprised, I think. But Seb, when I rang Francis that night, I wasn’t thinking straight. I was just trying to get help; I didn’t stop to wonder how anyone might react. Honestly, I didn’t expect them all to drop everything and rush down here… but they did.”
He pauses, eyes searching mine.
“Because they’re our friends. And they love you. When they arrived, we all hugged, even Anne. No one was angry or confused about us. Not after what happened. Not after what Maddie did.”
I nod, a sense of peace slowly settling in now that I know our friends are aware of us and still care.
“There’s one thing I don’t understand,” I murmur. “Why did Maddie show up at your house?”
Remi sighs, his brow tightening. “They all knew I’d gone down to Cornwall, officially to visit my family. Everyone except Ian still thought you were in Stratford. Anne told me Maddie called her a few days ago, and said she wanted to surprise me. She thought that if she showed up in person, she could talk me into getting back together. Anne, meaning well, told her I was in Sennen Cove and…” He trails off, jaw clenched. “You know the rest. That morning, Maude forgot to lock the front door, and Maddie just… walked in.”
The tension around his mouth deepens, and I can see him fighting the memory.
“Remi…” I lean in and press a soft kiss to his lips, light, steady, reassuring. And in that quiet touch, I feel him finally begin to relax, some of the weight he’s been carrying since I woke up melting away in the warmth between us.
“Let’s let them in,” I whisper, brushing my fingers along his jaw. “Before I fall asleep again or the doctors drag me off for tests. I want to see our friends. And your family.”
Remi suddenly shifts, his expression turning uncertain as he avoids my gaze.
“There’s something I haven’t told you yet…”
The moment I see how nervous he looks, I reach out instinctively, my voice gentle. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. I trust you, Remi. You know that.”
He nods slowly, still clearly struggling with the memory.
“When the paramedics took you to the hospital… You were in critical condition. The first people I called were your parents. It felt like the right thing to do, and honestly, I still believe it was.”
My breath catches. I can feel my pulse in my throat as I wait for the rest.
“I found their home number in your phone. Your mum answered. And despite everything that had happened... she refused to come. She called it a ‘silly domestic accident’.Those were her exact words. She even said she could understand Maddie’s reaction.”
He clenches his jaw, fury flickering behind his eyes. “I don’t need to tell you what I think of that woman. I was about to hang up, but then your dad got on the line.”
That part makes me freeze. Mum’s reaction doesn’t shock me anymore. But Dad’s… that I wasn’t expecting.
Remi watches me closely, then continues, more softly now.
“He asked me to explain everything again, calmly. Then he asked which hospital you’d been taken to. Five hours later… he was here.”
I raise a hand to my mouth, stunned. Dad’s never stood up to Isabel, not once. I’ve spent my entire life watching him follow her lead, spineless, silent, never questioning a word she said. If this really is the first time he’s gone against her… I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t know if Icantrust him.
Remi seems to read my thoughts before I can even voice them. He strokes my hand gently, his eyes steady on mine.
“I know he hurt you, baby,” he says softly. “He didn’t protect you when you needed him most. But… when he got here, he rented a room near the hospital and waited. Every single day. He hasn’t left since. I don’t know him well, we’ve barely spoken, but what I saw was a man drowning in guilt. Completely broken.”
I swallow hard, my head spinning.
“I… I can’t face him. Not yet,” I whisper.
Remi nods, his grip never faltering. “I understand, baby. You don’t have to do anything until you’re ready. But maybe… just think about it. Maybe give him the chance to explain. Whenyoufeel safe enough.”
“I will,” I promise quietly. “Only becauseyouasked me.”
Then, after a moment, I glance at the door and add, “But now… can you let the others in?”
He hesitates, visibly torn. “Seb… you’re exhausted. They’ve waited three days. They’ll understand if you need more rest.”
