“But not by choice, Alexei,” she reminded me, and I did not like the tone of her voice.
“Stop this jealousy, Amy, it’s not attractive. It’s not—”
“Violet-like?” she retorted, and it was my turn to freeze.
“That is not what I was going to say. I don’t want to fight with you. I am here and—” My voice trailed away.
“You should go back to Violet and the baby,” she said in a completely emotionless voice. “They need you.”
Her tone was clearly sarcastic.
For one last minute, she clung to me like I was her life raft in a stormy sea, and then she pushed away from me, her head down and her wild curls hiding her face from me. Amy’s body shuddered as she took a deep, rain-soaked breath.
“Amy.” She was less than a foot away from me, but it felt like a chasm had opened up between us. Why did she have to be like this? So jealous for no reason? It didn’t matter how many times I told her there was nothing between Violet and me, she seemed adamant to think the worst.
Maybe it was an age thing? I was her first everything after all. Not that I valued that excuse. Amy was my wife. These little outbursts should be beneath her.
“You made your decision, Alexei,” she said in a small voice that was already audible. “And I would like you to leave now.”
“Is that really what you want Amy?”
Slowly, she lowered her eyes. The light from a nearby ambulance flashed across her face, and the blare of a siren droned at her words. I didn’t need to hear her words, though. She turned on her heels and stalked back into the hospital without looking back, leaving me standing there and watching her.
My shoulders straightened. She was being ridiculous and acting like a jealous child that wouldn’t listen, and if she wanted to act like a child, then I would treat her like one.
“Fine, Amy,” I called out after her retreating back. “If you are too selfish to think of others and don’t want to listen to me, then I will leave you.”
She paused for just a second, and I saw her shoulder slump before she continued walking again.
“I’ll talk to you when you are in a better frame of mind. When you are ready to listen like an adult,” I continued, but she had already stepped onto the elevator, and the doors had closed. I had no way of knowing whether she had heard me or not.
I didn’t even think it mattered if she did or not. Amy would make up the truth in her own head. She didn’t listen to a word I said.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amy
Clasping my sister’s hand in mine, I barely heard the nurses as they busied themselves around her bed, checking her vitals, securing lines, smiling at me like my whole world wasn’t still unconscious in that bed and slowly drifting away.
They didn’t need to say it. I could see it. So I clung a little tighter to her hand, like if I held on to her tight enough, she wouldn’t be able to leave me.
It was always the same words, no change, but she’s fighting hard. I knew she was fighting hard, but I had a sinking feeling in my gut that it wouldn’t be hard enough. After everything Alessia had been through, she was tired. She wanted to rest. I knew that, but at the same time, I wasn’t ready to let go. So I didn’t say the words that I knew would set her free.
Selfish, that was me.
“Are you doing OK?” The nurse placed her soft hand on my shoulder, and I glanced back at her, confused.
“I’m just fine.”
“You looked a little sick earlier, ”she said in her quiet voice. “And yesterday as well.”
Smiling, I shook my head. “It’s nothing, I think the hospital food is finally getting to me.”
Her hand slipped away. “You need to go home and sleep in your bed. How many days have you been here now?”
“Five.” I frowned, “It might be six, and I’m fine. Honest.”
“It’s a good thing your young man is bringing you clothes and things, but it’s not healthy for you to not leave her side. I promise you we will call if there’s any change at all.”
