Chapter 129 Back Home
Nico POV
The doctor’s words didn’t just stay at the back of my mind, they settled there like a ticking bomb.
“Thankfully there isn’t any damage to her womb… she will conceive again but you have to slow down. She’s traumatized and she might start acting strange, just endure it and make sure you’re always with her.”
I nodded like it was simple and I understood but the moment he walked away, I realized something I didn’t want to admit, I was already Lila.
I forced myself to move, to do something so I wouldn’t have to sit with that thought.
Pulling out my phone, I called Mirabel “I want the house cleaned. “Fresh sheets, no dust, no mess please I want it perfect before we get back.”
There was a brief pause on the other end. “Of course, Nico… is she....”
“She’s coming home,” I cut in before she could finish. “That’s all that matters.”
I didn’t wait for an answer. I ended the call and headed back inside and the moment I stepped into the room, I stopped.
Lila was awake sitting up against the bed like a lifeless doll, her hands gripping the sheets so tightly her knuckles had turned white.
Her eyes, God they were swollen, red and hollow. It looked like she had cried until there was nothing left in her.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at her because that wasn’t my Lila.
This version of her?
She looked like a shell.
“Food is ready,” I said finally, my voice quieter than usual, almost careful. “Do you want to come to the dining room… or should I bring it here?”
Her gaze slowly shifted to me, it took too long like even looking at me required effort. “Here.”
One word, flat and empty.
I nodded stiffly and set the tray down closer to her. “You should eat.”
She didn’t move and didn’t even glance at the food.
Instead, she spoke again. “I want to leave here, Nico.”
I knew she wanted to leave but I don't understand the urgency but I agree. “Okay.”
I packed our things in record time, my movements sharp, restless and I told myself I was helping her but deep down, I knew I was running too.
Uncle Lucas was already waiting downstairs when I came down with the bags and his expression darkened the moment he saw me.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yes.”
“Nico, that’s not a good idea, she just lost...”
“She wants to go,” I cut him off, my tone leaving no room for discussion. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his jaw. “Sometimes what she wants isn’t what she needs.”
I didn’t respond because if I let that sink in, I might actually have to face the truth and I had no idea what she needed.
Mirabel stepped forward instead, she pulled Lila into a gentle hug, her hand stroking her hair softly.
“Be patient with her,” she told me, her voice low but serious. “Grief does strange things.
Losing a child…” she trailed off, then looked at me with something I didn’t like.
Pity. “Just don’t lose her too.”
My jaw tightened as we headed for the car.
The drive home was unbearable. I tried, God knows I tried. “Do you want music?” I asked.
“No.”
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
“Lila....”
“I’m fine.”
She wasn’t because her voice didn’t even sound human anymore.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. “Talk to me,” I muttered, more desperate than I intended.
She didn’t respond and ddn’t even look at me.
She just stared out the window like she was already gone.
The second we got home, she didn’t wait, she walked straight past me, her steps slow but determined.
“Lila....”
No response she went straight into the bedroom and then the bathroom.
The door shut, no locked. “Lila?”
What I meant was silence, so I walked closer and my heartbeat picking up. “Lila, open the door.”
Still nothing, a sharp cold panic started crawling up my spine. “Lila,” I said again, louder this time, my hand pressing against the door. “Open the door.”
“Lila, I’m not joking. Open this door right now or I will break it down.”
Nothing and that was it, fear snapped into full-blown panic and I started banging on the door.
“LILA!”
No answer, my chest tightened painfully and my mind racing through every worst-case scenario at once. “Open the damn door!”
Still nothing. “Fine.”
I stepped back, my heart slamming violently against my ribs then I kicked the door and at the second time the wood cracked then the door burst open and everything inside me shattered because she was on the floor and sitting in a pool of blood, too much blood.
The metallic scent hit me instantly, thick and suffocating. “No—no, no, no…”
My voice broke as I rushed to her, dropping to my knees beside her. “Lila! What the hell did you do?!”
Her wrist.....
God....., her wrist was cut open, blood spilling over her skin, staining the tiles beneath her.
A knife lay beside her like it had no business being there.
“Where did you even get this?!” I shouted, my voice shaking as I grabbed a towel and pressed it hard against the wound.
My hands were trembling but I couldn’t stop them.
“Are you out of your mind?!” I snapped, panic bleeding into anger. “What is this?! What were you thinking?!”
Her eyes slowly lifted to meet mine and that look...It destroyed me.
There was nothing there no pain or regret just emptiness. “I don’t want to feel anything anymore, Nico.”
Her voice was soft like she had already given up.
Something inside my chest cracked wide open.
“No,” I said immediately, tightening my grip on her wrist, my voice rough, breaking. “No, you don’t get to do this.
You don’t get to leave me like this, Lila!”
She didn’t react. “I’m right here!” I shouted, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls. “I’m right here, damn it! Why can’t you see that?!”
Nothing, she just looked at me like I was… nothing and for the first time in my life, I felt helpless.
Truly, completely helpless and the doctor’s warning slammed back into my head but this wasn’t strange behavior, this was her slipping away right in front of me.
“Stay with me,” I muttered, my voice dropping, desperate now as I lifted her into my arms.
“You’re not going anywhere. Do you hear me? You don’t get to leave me.”
Her head fell weakly against my chest and that scared me because Lila was never weak.
But right now?
She felt like she was already gone and as I carried her out of that bathroom, blood staining my hands and clothes, one terrifying thought kept repeating in my head, I don’t know how to save her.