CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX : DIE IN PEACE

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX : DIE IN PEACE
I stood there for a while, even after the doctor left.

I could not find myself to move, as his words repeatedly echoed in my head.

Ethan’s wounds were self-inflicted.

But why?

Why would he harm himself? 

I breathed hard as I tried to come up with any reason why Ethan would possibly do that, but I had none.

I turned to face the operating room again, watching as he was wheeled out into the ICU.

He looked pale.

So pale. And I had never seen Ethan this pale before.

He looked nothing like the man he was, the man I knew.

No, rather, he looked weak and helpless.

Having a heavy bandage wrapped around his entire back even to his front.

My hands shook with the need to touch him as I watched the nurses wheel him why I followed helplessly behind them.

“What have you done to yourself, Ethan?”

I finally managed to sit down. Ethan was settled in his room.

Although no one was allowed in.

So I had to wait outside.

My head rested in my palms which I had run past my hair over a hundred times today.

But then, something else occupied my vision.

Shoes.

And then, I lifted my head up to look at Killian who was holding a bag filled with food.

I had completely forgotten about him.

‘Oh God.’

And we were supposed to be getting married tomorrow.

What was the time?

My eyes widened as I looked at Killian.

“It’s our wedding tomorrow, oh God!” I whispered, but I knew he heard me clearly.

Something flashed past his eyes.

An emotion I could not catch, as he muttered.

“It’s two in the morning, Aveline,” he said calmly, handing the food over to me.

Panic flared through me as I sat stiffly.

“Two?

How did the time fly so fast?” I shouted unable to 

I believe that I had been here for over ten hours.

He took a seat beside me, but not close enough that we’ll be touching.

Then he raised his head up, looking up to the high ceiling.

“Ethan is probably not waking up soon,” he mumbled.

Then, he shifted slowly, and my head snapped at the same time, as we stared deeply at each other.

“Do you still want to get married tomorrow, Aveline?” He whispered knowing I heard him loud and clear.

I swallowed, my eyes darting away from his and towards Ethan’s door just directly opposite from where I sat.

“Ethan’s still unconscious.

He’s my children’s father, Killian.

We were once married.

I can’t possibly…” I stopped my rambling when I felt Killian’s touch on my shoulder.

“It’s okay Aveline, I’m not asking you to leave him now.

I just needed to get your word so I can inform the old madam that our wedding can’t happen tomorrow," he said softly, standing up all the while slipping his phone out of his pocket.

And then, I watched as he walked away.

“Killian?”I called him, my heart pounding erratically as I watched him stop and then turn to me.

“Please don’t inform my grandma about Ethan.

I never told her anything about my past.

And I want it to remain that way.”

Killian nodded as he gave me a small smile.

“I know,” he said, then turned to resume walking ahead.

Only this time, he called my name.

“Aveline?” My head snapped to him in question.

“The kids are okay, and are asleep.

You should do too.

And, you should probably call them later.

They’ll be worried if they don’t hear your voice," he spoke and this time, he walked out without looking back.

I sat there watching as his form disappeared from my vision, and then I smiled.

“Thank you, Killian,” I whispered softly.

Four days, Ethan remained unconscious for four days, and today was the fifth day.

I had started to believe the doctor's words.

Ethan intentionally did not want to wake up.

Maybe he had convinced himself that he should be dead.

Within these days when I finally managed to convince myself that Ethan was okay and nothing would happen to him while I left.

And then, I finally went home to my children.

But I barely spent any good time with them because I always came back rushing here with fear and panic that Ethan might need me.

At least today, the nurse gave me a go ahead and allowed me inside his room.

And the moment my eyes landed on him, I froze all over again.

His body had at least regained some color.

It was no longer the deathly pale color it was before.

Nor were his lips that frightening blue any longer.

But still, I found tears slipping down my cheeks.

I still found my heart tightening in pain as I saw him lying there.

My feet carried me over to where he lay.

My trembling hands picked up the strength to take his hands, the one not attached to an IV.

My hands wrapped around it, feeling the warmness.

It felt good.

It was extremely good to feel him this warm and not cold, like the smell of death that followed him that day I found him.

“You must really hate me Ethan.

You couldn’t die peacefully and not involve me could you?” I choked, more tears trailing down my cheeks.

The room was silent as my voice echoed around it.

I knew he couldn’t hear me, but I could not hold myself back.

“Why did you have to do this?

Couldn’t you at least think of how I’ll feel,” I cried, my lips quivering as I struggled to make words through my mouth as the sounds of my cry filled the air.

“You know, I always and forever think about you, Leah.”

A familiar deep voice echoed.

One that did not make my heart slip a beat.

No, that was too small.

It made my chest burn.

My heart pounded erratically as I snapped my head to meet those beautiful pairs of green eyes.

And then—I could breathe again.