Chapter 20

I opened my eyes to a pale light, I tried to move but a burning pain hit harshly. Instead I moved my head to my side to see my dad sleeping on a chair. I tried to open my mouth to call him but I felt like I didn't have enough power.

-D-d-dad...

It came as a whisper, too quiet for him to hear it. I moved my head to the other side and tried to raise it a little bit, I was in a hospital room. I easily moved my hands, putting them into the bed to help me get up. My body screamed with pain as I started pushing into my arms and I successfully stood straight. I moved to one side of the bed and placed my feet on the cold tiles. I grabbed the metal bars at the end of the pillows and started to let all my weight on my legs. A silent cry slid off my mouth as the aching escalated all over my body. I looked at the open door and, letting go of the bed, I stepped in front. My legs suddenly became numb and in a brief second I realised I was falling, the hard floor meeting my cheek fast.

-Vivien!

I felt two strong arms grabbing me and placing me back into the bed, I opened my eyes to see my dad's worried look.

-Dad?

-For God's sake Vivien why did you get off the bed?

-Where am I?

-Where do you think? At the hospital, you were involved in a car crash.

My eyes widened at the brief memory.

-Where is Marcus?

-In the other room, why?

-How is he?

-He's fine. That idiot took a drug which made him pass out and put you in danger. Looks like you got what you wanted.

-He's fired?

-Of course he is, he was irresponsible.

-No, it wasn't his fault. He was poisoned.

-Poisoned? By who?

Hot tears started streaming on my face at the image of Matilda's dead body still fresh into my mind.

-A woman...she...she said she knew me....she said she knew mom...but she...she threatened us with a gun...she said she wants me...Marcus saved me dad.

-Stay here.

I watched my father leave me alone. I sat my head back on the pillow when I saw a nurse passing by.

-Hey! Hey! Wait!

I tried to scream as loud as I could but my voice was still rusty and my mouth was dry. She heard me and popped her head on one corner of the door then let all her body follow it.

-Yes, Miss...?

-Collin, Vivien Collin.

She looked on a list for my name then smiled and her confused expression changed into a friendly one.

-Ah, yes, Miss Collin. How may I help you?

-I would like to know the status of a patient, I was involved in a car accident with him. His name is Marcus Miller.

She started searching the list again and pointed by putting her finger in the middle of the paper.

-Mister Miller was in a critical state when he was brought here, he entered a coma immediately after we stabilised him.

-Um...thank you very much.

-Anything else I can help you with, Miss?

-Yes, can you bring me some water?

-Of course.

-Thank you.

I hold my tears until the nurse was completely gone, I couldn't believe that Marcus almost died. I had to see him. I grabbed my bed and I pushed myself up as hard as I could. I tried to fight all the pain I felt in my body as my heart was aching stronger. Once again I felt the confusing numbness in my legs, I tried to let go of the bed and put all my power into my legs but I had to grab it again as I almost fell. I had no power in my legs and it was the first time I realised that I didn't feel them. I walked to the end of the bed, there I inhaled deeply and then let myself fall. I started crawling immediately after hitting the ground, not letting my mind process the burning pain I felt everywhere. I remembered my dad saying Marcus was in the other room, I crawled to the entrance then, assuring myself that there was no one who could see me, towards Marcus' room.

Arrived there I grabbed the bed and stood up with its help, my body was fulfilled with pain but my heart was the one which took the hard hit when I turned and saw Marcus. He was pointed in his bed, peacefully asleep by the impact he took. I stepped closer and put my hand on his, shaking it just a bit as a last hope to wake him up.

-Marcus?...

Hot tears filled my eyes, going down on my cheeks and falling on Marcus' hand.

-What are you doing here?

I turned to see my dad giving me weird looks from the door.

-Umm, I wanted to see how he is.

I said while wiping my tears away with the palm of my hand.

-What's this sudden worry about him?

-What do you mean?

-In the first month you were so eager to get rid of him and now you are in his hospital room.

-He risked his life for me, dad.

-Vivien, that's his job. Don't think there's something more about it, ok? Now let's go.

He took my hand and grabbed my waist pulling me from there, forcing me to let go of Marcus' hand. I looked back wishing I could stay with him until he woke up.

Dad put me back in the bed, being careful with my fragile body. I looked on the side to see the glass of water I requested, I took it and sipped from it, my dry mouth being finally flooded with water. I put it back on the nightstand and looked at my dad who was staring while sitting on a chair. Neither of us knew what to say, we weren't used to being alone that much.

-How is my situation?

I heard myself asking, the curiosity hitting me without a warning.

-They said you shouldn't be able to walk.

-What?

-Vivien, do you feel your legs?

-Not really, they have been numb since I woke up.

-They said this might happen.

-This?

-I have to go and talk to your doctor.

He said quickly getting up and storming out as fast as he could. I laid back in my bed, trying to relax after seeing Marcus in that state. The nurse that brought my water popped in the room with a big smile.

-I hope I don't disturb you, I came here to see how you are and to check your vitals.

-Oh no, not at all.

She came closer and grabbed my hand and pulled out a tensiometer from behind her. She then proceeded to measure my tension.

-So are you feeling well?

-Yes, but my body hurts and my legs feel numb.

-That is normal, you have suffered a great impact. Your tension is okay. Have you had strong pains?

-Only when I tried to stand up.

She noted on her clipboard, starting to look a little bit worried.

-Have you tried to walk?

-Yes, but I didn't succeed.

-Were you not able to move your legs?

-No, I fell.

-You fell?

-Yes.

Her eyes became bigger and she let the clipboard fall to her breasts.

-Miss, you shouldn't create more impacts, you might suffer a pregnancy loss if you do. You were very lucky that your baby survived the accident.

-My what?

-Your baby, you are three weeks pregnant.