“Miss Piper is stable. She suffered internal bleeding and required emergency surgery. She also sustained a punctured lung, which required us to place a chest drain and intubate her during treatment. In addition, she has four broken ribs, two cracked ribs, and a severe concussion. Given the extent of her injuries, she’s extremely fortunate there appears to be no swelling on the brain, but we’ll continue monitoring her closely.”
The doctor keeps talking.
I know he does.
I can see his lips moving.
“There was a complication during surgery. Miss Piper went into cardiac arrest, but we were able to resuscitate her successfully.”
The rest disappears beneath the roaring in my ears.
Cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest.
No.
Fuck no.
Why can’t I breathe?
I rip open another button on my shirt.
“Sir? Sir, do you hear me?”
“Continue.”
“As I was saying, we managed to resuscitate her and stabilise her. She also required a blood transfusion due to the amount of blood she lost.”
“Is she going to be okay?”
The doctor hesitates.
“It’s too early to say. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours are critical. Miss Piper remains in intensive care, and given the severity of her injuries and the cardiac arrest, we’re keeping her heavily sedated for now.”
My stomach drops.
“How long?”
“We don’t know yet. It could be days. Potentially longer. Right now our priority is giving her body the best chance to recover.”
I can’t process the damage he’s done to her body. It’s a wonder I’m still standing and not on my fucking knees, begging whatever God might be listening to spare her.
And it takes everything I have not to walk out of this hospital, find that piece of shit, and inflict every ounce of pain he’s inflicted on her.
But I need to be here with her.
Because if there is a time Piper needs me, it’s now, and there isn’t a chance in hell I’m leaving her side.
“Can I see her?”
The doctor looks as if he’s about to refuse.
Then his eyes meet mine and he appears to reconsider.
“Yes, but you’ll need to follow the ICU protocols.”
