Harleigh has been through so much. She deserves a fucking break. What happens if I never get to see her beautiful eyes again? Her sweet voice. Her infectious laugh. I’ll crucify anyone who has hurt her. They might have taken away the one and only thing I’ve loved in such a long time.
Chapter 27
Harleigh
Beep. Beep. Beep.I’ve listened to this continuous beeping for what feels like hours. Only I can’t do anything to move or turn it off. I don’t know where I am or what I’m doing. I feel someone holding my hand, but I can’t see who. The uncertainty of everything is making me anxious. The beeping gets quicker and rings in my ears.
“Doctor.”
Mum.I can hear my mum, but why can’t I see her?
“Please, it has been fifteen hours. What news do you have?”
Where the hell am I? Why is she talking to a doctor?
“I’m afraid it’s still too early to tell, Mrs Harrison. Your daughter has received a head trauma. We need to see if the brain swelling reduces on its own with the medication we’ve administered.”
“And how long will that take?”
“Every patient reacts to brain trauma differently. We can’t put a time on it.”
“But she will wake up, right?” asks my mum.
“It’s too early to tell. I’m sorry I don’t have any better news. Maybe you should go home and get some rest.”
“No. I’m not leaving my baby girl. Can you tell us anything about my son?”
“He’s doing well. Your husband is with him. He has a broken arm, a broken knee that we’ve splinted, and a few cracked ribs that were causing his breathing issues when he arrived. But we’ve got on top of the pain and he’s already asking about his sister.”
“Good. Some good news is better than none. Just promise me that you’ll keep my babies alive,” my mum cries.
“I promise, I’ll do everything I can.”
And everything goes silent again. I try to think about what’s happening, but nothing is making any sense. I can remember leaving Bulgaria and coming home, going for dinner, and leaving… Oh my god, Martin. He tried to run us off the road. I’m alive. Gavin’s alive. Giovani will think I’m not returning to Bulgaria if he doesn’t hear from me. He’ll be going out of his mind with worry. Why can’t my life be straightforward? Whenever something good happens, a bucket load of shit follows.
I need to get myself fit and well to return to Giovani. I must return to Giovani.
Chapter 28
Giovani
It feels like days ago since I heard that Harleigh was hurt, but it’s exactly twenty-four hours. I had to wait until the next morning before I could fly out to Scotland. Once I got on my flight, I think I counted down the minutes until I could see my girl again. I just want to hug her, hold her, and tell her that everything will be okay.
Everything has run smoothly. It’s just after lunchtime and I pull into the hospital car park. I haven’t heard anything from Lucca or Harleigh’s family. I’m not even sure if they know I’m coming here, but I couldn’t stay away. I just need to be with her.
I jog into the hospital, read the sign, and follow it until I reach Ward 23. When I come to the ward doors, I see the ICU sign.
Holy fuck! Please be okay, baby.
I ring the buzzer and wait for someone to answer.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
“Hi, my name is Giovani Russi. I’m here to see my girlfriend, Harleigh Harrison.”
“Hold on, please.”
The line goes quiet for what feels like an eternity. What is taking them so long? Why can’t they just push the button and let me in?
