Hundred and sixteen

Hundred and sixteen
EPILOGUE

ETHAN BLACKWOOD POV

I gasped awake, my breath coming out in harsh pants as my eyes darted around the room wildly. But I was all alone.

I sucked in a sharp breath and then groaned as the pain hit me all at once, my chest constricting painfully despite my effort to relax.

The feeling was awful. My body felt like it was on fire, and despite all the drugs that were pumped into my system every other hour, I couldn't even breathe without feeling like I was on the verge of death.

It was a horrible existence. I spent every day writhing in agony, praying and wishing for the day it would all end.

And as if that was not enough, I kept having nightmares every other night of Riven coming to finish the job.

I knew Father said he had already made a deal with him to spare my life, but I was still skeptical. It could all be a lie to make me let my guard down— I scoffed.

"Let my guard down? What the hell can I do even if he chooses to attack me now," I muttered to myself, laughing at how ridiculous it all was.

I was useless, even more than I was before, so why was Father even bothering to keep me alive?
I tried to fist my hand then cursed as my knuckles cracked under the heavy bandages wrapped around it. The same bandages were wrapped around my torso.

My eyes clenched shut, shaky breath escaping my lungs as I tried to breathe through the pain.

Riven had almost killed me, and every night, the memory plagued me, each one more intense than the last. Just when was it all going to end?

I blinked, glancing around the drab-looking hospital room, hating my very existence.

Hazel had saved my life despite everything, but where was she right now? For months now, she hadn't come to see me. Did she hate me? If she hated me, then why didn't she just let Riven kill me?

I let out a frustrated shout, hitting my head against the pillow.

"Why won't you come and see me, Hazel? Why! I know Father said never to see you, but you can at least come to see how I am doing, right?"

The door opened, and my gaze jerked to it hopefully, but it was just the doctor.

The smile on her face as she met my gaze just served to ruin my day more than it already was.

"You're awake. How do you feel today, Ethan?" she asked, checking my vital signs.

"What do you think," I grumbled, looking over her shoulder. "The drugs are not fucking working."

"With all the energy you're currently exhibiting, I beg to differ."

"Where's my father," I snapped, choosing to ignore her words. If I were still perfect, she wouldn't have dared to say that to my face.

"Your dad won't be here today, but you don't have to worry, we are going to take very good care of you," she said, and I met her gaze, my brows furrowing.

"What do you mean he won't be here? He promised that he was going to be here every day. Is he already tired of me? Is that it?" I gritted out, the bitterness in my chest suffocating.

The doctor let out a sigh and then placed a hand on my arm. "He didn't show up today because your brother's wedding is taking place right now," she informed. "But don't worry, he'll be here tomorrow."

My heart skipped a beat, then the heart machine picked up.

"Ethan, calm down," the doctor rushed out, her eyes darting between me and the machine. "You're going to hurt yourself!"

My vision blurred, and the sound of her voice faded out as darkness closed in around me.

My heart pounded, the roar of it drumming in my ears as my imagination ran wild.

Riven was getting married and I knew exactly who it was he was getting married to.

Hazel.

Was this why Father said he was going to send me away as soon as I got better? Was this why he warned me never to step even a fraction near Hazel?

I wanted to grab and pull at my hair, but I couldn't.

Riven had rendered me handicapped, and he was getting his happy ever after. No. No. No.

I didn't even know if I was going to ever walk again, especially since the stupid therapy was not working.

It wasn't fair. Why does he get to have her while I rot away on a hospital bed? Why. Why. Why!

I flinched as something sharp pierced my skin, liquid moving up into my arm.

It was the stupid doctor with her stupid injections.

She was trying to dull my mind, she was trying to make me worse. They were going to keep me here until I lost my mind.

I needed to get out. I needed to get out of here!

Darkness lulled me under, burning down my senses.

I clenched my hand despite the pain, refusing to give in.

"I'll never let you win, Riven," I gritted out, black dots filling my vision. "I'm going to get better I promise you. I'm going to get better and take back what's rightfully mine"

The darkness felt like talons sinking into my flesh.

No, it was Riven. He was sitting on my chest and digging his nails into me, a manic smile on his lips.

"I'll never let you win. Never!" I screamed. "I'm going to get Hazel back. I swear it!"

He grinned. "Not if I kill you first", he rasped, his eyes fixed on mine as he drew his hand back.

"Don't," I gasped, my eyes bulging as his sharp, long nails glistened in the light.

His eyes flashed wickedly and he brought his hand down, his nails piercing through my skin, the sharp feel of it slicing through my throat.

I fell into the abyss, the darkness swallowing me up.