Chapter 197 Discharged - Monet

Chapter 197 Discharged - Monet
"You're awake."
I smile at Cole as he enters the hospital room, and I turn on my side to watch him put down a bag that he packed for me, and a takeout container on the bedside table. It feels so good to move, and I feel so sorry for the people who can't because of disabilities. I literally felt trapped in my own skin, and even though there is no one I hate more than James, I'm so glad he did his research and didn't hurt me permanently.
"I got us some sushi from our favorite spot." Cole smiles, pulling a chair up to my bed.
"Ooh, what did I do to deserve such special treatment?"
I wince when I look at his right fist that is bruised from how he was hitting James. I thought for sure he was going to kill him if Luke didn't stop him. Not that James didn't deserve it after literally kidnapping me and definitely planned on raping me, but it's not something I want to haunt Cole's conscience. Not after what happened with that man who he thought was his father.
"You're here, and you're going to be okay." A shadow passes over his eyes. "That is reason enough."
I gulp, I can't even begin to imagine what he might have gone through. James could've been successful too, if he wasn't vindictive by sending Chrystal that video. He literally could've killed me without being a suspect. By the time they found out it was him, he could've already gone on the run.
His stupidity saved me. As well as Cole's possessiveness. I didn't even know there was a tracking app on my phone, but I'm so grateful for it now, I can't find it in me to be mad about it.
Cole helps me sit upright as if I still can't feel my limbs, but I let him, and we eat in silence. It's weird, not talking to him, especially since that has never been a problem between the two of us. Right now, it feels like there's a whole mountain between us.
"Chrystal is feeling really bad." He breaks the awkwardness. "As per Antoine's information of course."
I smile, thinking it's really cute that he's playing such a protective role with her. "Has he asked her out yet?"
"I don't think she's ready for that."
I told the police everything, the video that James showed me on his phone of somebody else raping her while she was unconscious, and charges are being filed now. James is going to go to jail for a very long time, hopefully forever.
"I wish she would come to see me, you know." I shake my head. "I don't blame her for any of it. In fact, she should blame me. I'm pretty sure he pursued her just because she was my roommate to try to get back at me for breaking things off."
"I thought that too." Cole sighs. "But you were always mine, and I wasn't going to let you become serious with anyone else."
That literally makes me swoon. I'm seeing things differently now.
First, I really miss Mom. I miss her hugs, her reassuring words, and the overall comfort she always brought me. I know she can't come back to me, and I cherish her memories even more now.
Then I'm just so grateful for the family I do have. I have Cole, who loves me irrevocably. I have Luke and Amy, who have been here constantly, worrying about me. Even Coach and Mrs.Murray have been so awesome, always asking me if there is anything they can do for me, and I see the way Coach looks at Cole. It literally brings tears to my eyes, the way he has already accepted Cole as his son, even though they're still waiting on the DNA results.
Maybe it's exactly what Cole didn't know he needed.
"I just want to get out of this place now." I sigh deeply. I've been in the hospital for two whole days, and I just want to go home.
"Agreed, I think hospitals scare me a little now after Kamila." Cole pulls a face. "There are no words to describe how happy I am that you're going to be okay."
I can hear it in his voice, how terrible it must have been for him seeing me like that.
The nurses don't say anything when they find us on the hospital bed together, me in his arms just the way it's supposed to be. When he has to leave that night, he kisses me tenderly, like he can't bear to leave me.
"I love you so much." He whispers against my lips. "Remember, there is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you."
"I love you more." I whisper back.
If I ever die, I want to come back as myself, to experience love with him all over again.
The next morning, the doctor says I can go home, and I excitedly take a shower and get dressed in the clothes that Cole brought me yesterday. I know there are still a lot of questions the police have, and there is most definitely going to be an investigation, and that I'm probably going to need to testify in the future, but I'm just glad that I get to go home.
I halt when I get out of the bathroom and find Amy waiting for me, and not Cole. I texted him as soon as the doctor gave me the news that I'm free of this place.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I walk over to the bed and pack away the last of my stuff.
"Cole asked me to come get you." Something in her voice makes me look at her closely, and she can't look me in the eye, a trait very unlike her.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know." There's sadness in her gaze when she looks at me. "He said he left you something at home."
I immediately grab my phone and dial his number, but his phone is switched off once again.
What the hell?
I try calling him again and again on the way home, but the phone is still off. I don't know why I think I'm gonna get a different outcome.
He's not home either, and on our bed I find a pile of what seems to be letters, opening the first one on the top.

Monet,
I'm going away for a little while. Please know that I'm not running away from you, but that I'm leaving to work on myself to become the man that you deserve.
And remember,
I love you.
Cole