My tone sounded as dead as I felt inside. “It’s okay.”
Anna’s mouth pinched, but she didn’t say anything as she gently cleaned the area, inspecting the cut with careful precision. After a moment, she dabbed on a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, then placed a narrow adhesive strip just beneath mylip, smoothing the edges so it wouldn’t pull when I moved. It didn’t take long.
When she was done, she continued her examination, asking for permission each time she needed to touch me. When her fingers pressed lightly along my ribs, I winced, swallowing a gasp of pain.
Her brows narrowed but she kept something resembling a smile on her lips.
“That’s quite painful, huh? Do you mind if I take a closer look?” She touched the hem of my shirt, and I stiffened.
She waited patiently for my answer before she moved again. Slowly, I nodded, and she lifted my shirt to look at my chest. I didn’t look down, but felt her warm fingers gently prodding along my ribs. She asked questions about my pain, took a few close-up photos, and had me take some deep breaths as she listened to my lungs again.
“Bruised,” she murmured finally, letting my shirt fall back. “Nothing feels broken, but you should be careful and rest. Ice would help, too.”
Her hands moved to my throat next. She turned my head gently, her expression tightening as she took in the red marks. “How’s your breathing?”
“It hurts a little,” I admitted. “But not too bad. I can breathe fine.”
“Good.” She nodded. “There’s no swelling or crepitus. Nothing I can find that worries me too much. But if your voice gets hoarse, or it suddenly hurts to swallow or breathe, you go straight to the ER, all right?”
I nodded mutely.
When she was done, Anna cleaned up quietly, moving with a soft efficiency.
“You’re going to be sore for a few days,” she said finally. “Keep ice on your ribs tonight. And I’ll leave some antibiotic for yourlip. The bruising will look worse tomorrow, but you’re going to be okay.”
I swallowed, the movement making my throat sting. “Thank you.”
She patted my knee. “Of course.”
Anna’s expression shifted, determination overriding the kindness in her gentle demeanor. “Never forget how strong you are, Quinn. This was incredibly brave of you, allowing me to treat you. I’m honored.”
A wave of unexpected emotion swelled inside my wounded chest, and for a moment I thought I was going to cry.
I could not cry. Iwouldnot cry.
When I was silent, she squeezed my knee before she stood. “You rest here for a little bit. I’m going to talk to Graham.”
She gathered her bag, gave me one last reassuring look, and slipped out of the room.
I stared at the closed door after she was gone.
I could not cry. I would not cry.
But even as I repeated the mantras over and over in my mind, a rebellious tear slipped down my cheek.
10
Graham
Ididn’tknowwhattodo.
My fingers trembled around the glass as I gulped down water. I wasn’t sure why I was this thirsty. My mouth was so dry.
Finishing the water, I flipped on the faucet and filled it again.
The click of my bedroom door made my muscles tighten. Footsteps softly treaded down the hall, heading toward the kitchen.
Anna’s voice drifted toward me. She set her bag on the counter, pinning me with a sympathetic look.
