∞∞∞
When the weekend rolled around, I decided that hiding in the house had done nothing for my mental health. Dante told me that getting back into a routine would be best, and although Luc wasn't happy, I decided to stop at the hospital to visit Maria. The stress of the situation had caused another fall leading to yet another admission and Luc’s mood further souring.
"Hey, Kelly," I greeted the nurse.
Kelly beamed. "Hi, sugar! You here to see, Maria? No Luc today?"
"No," I shook my head. "He's a little busy."
"What about that fine hunk of a man?"
Kelly really had her eyes on Dante, and I wished he would stop flirting with her when he came to the hospital. "Not today, sorry Kel. How's Maria doing?"
"Good day, today," Kelly told me. "She's already got a visitor but you're fine to go in."
"Thanks, Kel." I walked away from the desk and tried to think who would pop in to see Maria. As far as I knew it was only Stefan, Luc, Dante and myself that visited and I knew none of the others were with her today. As I came up to the room, I heard the rumbling of a conversation.
"We need to tell him, Xav," Maria said.
"Why? Why now?"
Xavier was in the room with Luc's Mom. I hung outside the room and listened.
"I'm worried about him," Maria admitted. "I don't want him to spiral. I don't know what mess Luc will get himself into."
"He knows what he's dealing with. We all do."
"Xavier, Mia is good for him."
"She asks too many questions," he told her.
"He adores her, and she loves him."
"She'll ruin him!" Xavier said, voice rising. "He doesn't think clearly with her. First Bianchi and now Stefan."
The knot in my stomach felt like it was made of lead. The room fell quiet and I prepared to leave but they started to talk again.
"Luc's going to end up burning bridges if he stays with her," Xavier told her.
"They're going to be married."
"I won't see my son throw away every connection he has for that woman!"
The words hit me, and I gasped.
"What was that?" Xavier asked.
I turned quickly, my shoes squeaking against the hospital linoleum floor as Xavier's footsteps followed me.
"Mia? MIA!"
Xavier was Luc's Dad? The information sank into my brain as I sprinted down the corridor with Xavier chasing after me. I hit the elevator button, but it was several floors down and Xavier was gaining on me. I dashed through another set of doors and into a stairwell. I only managed to make it down the first flight before Xavier got a grip on my arm and had me up against the wall.
"What did you hear?" His face was close to mine and he looked furious, hair falling out of place and into his eyes.
"Nothing," I lied.
"Don't lie! What did you hear?!"
