Chapter 39
Sky
Three weeks later
With tears streaming down my face and completely out of breath, I raced down this hospital corridor exactly three weeks ago.
Your father has awakened, June's voice repeated over and over in broken Swedish in my head.
So this is your true face, Kjell whispered in disappointment in between.
Even today, he's with me. Everywhere in my thoughts and in my heart, even though he no longer belongs there.
Kjell was a huge mistake. It's notmytrue face that matters here, but his!
He lied to me. After Kahlo gave me the tip, it was easy to figure out that he, along with his partner, not only ownsSanningens Ögonblickbut also that dreadfulRyktesspegeln.
With clenched lips, I lift my head and continue marching down the corridor to my father's room. Just like back then, I don't have control over my emotions. There are too many questions, foremost among them whether this will ever end well.
Right after waking up, Father was barely responsive. Too confused and disoriented to even recognize me. But for the past week, he's been clear enough in his mind that we can have conversations.
He knows I'm in Stockholm because of him, and I insisted on not leaving his side until he's fully recovered.
I haven't told him about what happened in the past few months. He knows nothing about Kjell, Milan, the idea of the competition, or Kahlo's resignation. And certainly not about my visit to Mother.
It was necessary.
June's instructions were clear. Father must not get upset. His health should be the priority.
The day will come when I confess all of this to him. But that day is not today.
Fiddling incessantly with the vinyl records I brought for him, I enter the room—and freeze.
Kahlo is here. With his back to me, he sits on the edge of the bed.
"So this is how it looks," he says with a prolonged sigh.
A barely audible hum escapes Father's mouth, followed by a heavy breath, and I immediately know that Kahlo's visit is tiring him.
Resolutely, I step behind Kahlo and place my hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, I'll take it from here," I whisper to him even though I would like to ask him how he got the idea to jeopardize Father's recovery. But that wouldn't be good for Father either, so I refrain.
Kahlo tries to shake off my hand. "Not necessary."
I dig my fingers deeper into his bony shoulder. "I. Will. Take. Over."Whether you like it or not, I convey to him with my expression and nod my head toward the door.
"Fine." A sardonic grin flits across his face. "I was done anyway."And we both know what that means, he adds silently.
What? Did he tell Father about what happened atTouch av lyx?Is he insane?
Nausea washes over me, my legs tremble, and an uncontrollable craving for a high crawls inside me. For a moment, forget everything, just be. That would be...
Stop.
I control my actions.
With my last strength, I nod toward the door, and thankfully, Kahlo disappears a few seconds later. Then with a pounding heart, I turn to Father.
"Hej," I say, trying to breathe evenly. I fail. "How are you today?"
