And that realization feels strange.
Therapy is getting harder. She insists on facing the memories I don't want to talk about.
Gideon's hands. Butch and Delaine touching me, my body.
Some sessions leave me raw; others leave me numb. But I'm talking. I'm remembering and working through it, not running away.
That's what matters.
Walking becomes my daily exercise.
Not just inside the room or down the hall, but outside.
Luca pushes me in a wheelchair at first, but soon enough, I'm walking alongside him in the courtyard paths. Sometimes Maeve walks with me, talking about nothing just to distract me.
Noah brings me books and things to do in bed to pass the time. He brings me easy puzzles and games.
Sometimes I catch a familiar figure standing at the end of thehall or walking past my door. I'm not ready to face that yet. I'm not ready to face him.
My skin is healing, and the bruises are gone. My ribs are still sensitive, and some deeper aches linger. Stubborn and refusing to leave. But I can breathe without wincing. I can lift my arms without them shaking.
I'm not whole, but after a month, I can finally look in the mirror and see someone I recognize. She somewhat resembles the girl from before.
The doctors agree I can continue healing from the comfort of my own room. I start to panic at the thought of Blackmoore. I've been missing for almost six months.
Maeve reassures me that Lucian had handled it. He told them I was working from home for a while for some family emergency, which in reality, Maeve was submitting assignments for me.
Before I could protest, she told me she was only doing her part in covering for me, and she didn't mind in the slightest.
27 NINETEEN
Istretch and turn over. There's a surprising amount of room in the bed. I sit up slowly, flipping my hair out of my face.
“Happy birthday, pretty girl!” Luca stands in front of my bed with so many balloons, part of my brain thinks he should be floating. Along with a cupcake and a candle.
He lets the balloons go, and they tumble up to the ceiling. He flicks a lighter and lights the candle, sitting in front of me.
“Make a wish, birthday girl!” Luca bounces excitedly.
I roll my eyes at him, but close my eyes and make a wish anyway, then blow out the candle.
“So, what did you wish for?” Luca dips his finger in the frosting then sticks it in his mouth.
“Hey! That's supposed to be for me.” I swipe the cupcake from the plate, “and I can't tell you or it won't come true.” I smirk and bite into the cupcake.
“Lame.” Luca winks and lies back, watching me eat. “What do you want to do today?”
I hum. I honestly didn't even realize what day it was. Everything had been such a blur with recovery and getting back home to Ashthorne Hall. I technically passed the semester thanks to Maeve, but I still feel stuck.
“I really don't know. I kind of forgot about my birthday.” I finish the cupcake.
“It's nice out, maybe we can enjoy the day next to the pool?” Luca offers.
“That sounds nice. Let me get ready, and we'll head downstairs for some proper breakfast first.” I start to roll out of bed.
“Wait, I want to give you your birthday gift first.” Luca smiles goofily. He hands over a medium-sized box wrapped with glitter wrapping paper.
“You didn't have to get me anything.”
