Brain swelling?
I’m trying hard to grasp the medical terms, but my anxiety and panic prevent me from having a clear enough head to truly understand what this means. But one thing’s for certain—it sure as fuck isn’t good. A sense of helplessness claws at me.
“Is she going to be all right?” Clay asks, moving closer to Carolina’s other side, flanked by Xander.
Both their faces are etched with concern, lines of worry deepening around Clay’s eyes. Sophia and Chiara stand beside me, their expressions mirroring my worry.
“The swelling should decrease in a few days. Once that happens, she’ll likely wake up and feel a lot better,” the doctor explains.
“And if it doesn’t?” Xander’s voice is tense with an edge I haven’t heard from him before.
“We’d then consider alternative treatments, possibly surgery. But we’re optimistic the swelling will subside in three to four days.”
I nod, my heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty, and I gently kiss the back of Carolina’s hand. I mumble against her skin, “You’re a fighter, Carolina. You’ve got this. We’re all here for you.”
“It might be good for someone to delve deeper into this. We discovered indications of long-term abuse.” The doctor looks thoughtful and glances toward Chiara.
Wait, what?
I straighten instantly, gripping Carolina’s hand tighter. “What are you talking about? What did you find?”
The doctor sounds somber as she explains, “There are several old fractures, none of which were treated properly. They could be from unrelated incidents, but there are just too many to ignore. Multiple ribs show signs of fractures that didn’t set right. One appears to be a recent fracture. Her left collarbone seems to have been broken a few months back. Her left shoulder seems to have been injured a few weeks back. And there’s a noticeable cut on her temple. But I’m most alarmed by the fresh cuts on her arm.”
My head is spinning, and my heart pounds in my chest as her words sink in. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I kissed this beautiful body from head-to-toe last night.Was I so fucking blind?
I let go of her hand and stand. My fists clench involuntarily, and a surge of anger rises within me.How did I not notice any of this?
I can’t believe I missed all those injuries.How did I not see the signs of pain in her eyes?I grind my teeth together, the frustration building inside me. She trusted me enough to let me close, closer than anyone before, and Ifailed her.
The mention of fresh cuts on her arm sends a chill down my spine. I look at her, my jaw clenched so tight it aches.
I should have seen it.
Should have been more attentive.
But I did seesomething, didn’t I? I noticed that something was off. I just did not want to press too hard and make her push me away.
I run my hands down my face, feeling the weight of my inadequacy crushing down on me. I need to do better,bebetter for her. She deserves more than this, more than a boyfriend who is too afraid to lose her by speaking up.
“Fuck!” Xander growls, bringing his hands to his hair and nearly pulling some strands out. “I should have done something.I told her to reach out, but I should have fucking done something.”
“What are you talking about?” Clay asks, placing a calming hand on Xander’s chest. “What should you have done?”
“I shouldn’t have let her go home yesterday! We have a spare room, for fuck’s sake!” Xander shoots a glare at Chiara and points a finger at her. “You’re not going back either.”
Chiara’s voice is barely above a whisper, “He only hurts her. She makes sure of it.”
My selfless, brave Carolina.
Xander’s fingers twitch into a tight fist, yet his touch is gentle when he reaches out to tilt Chiara’s face to the side, revealing a bruise on her cheek. “What’s this then?”
Fuck, I hadn’t even noticed that.
She pulls away, avoiding his gaze. “It’s nothing.”
Sophia steps forward, wrapping a comforting arm around Chiara. “You can stay with me. I have two guest rooms, and maybe you’d feel safer with another woman around.”
I’m grappling with the realization that Xander knew it first. Of course, there were signs, but she always had an explanation. She downplayed everything, and I trusted her word.
