It was Ray

The room still felt heavy with everything that had happened. My outburst at Don kept playing in my head again and again. The anger and the pain. I had thrown it all at him like a weapon and he had taken it. He didn’t fight back or try to explain himself. He just stood there, silent, letting my words tear him apart.

And now, he was gone.

The room still felt heavy, suffocating with the weight of everything that had happened. No matter how many times I shifted in the hospital bed and no matter how many deep breaths I took, I couldn't shake the crushing feeling in my chest. My outburst at Don kept replaying in my mind like a cruel and unrelenting loop. Every sharp word I said, every accusation, every ounce of anger and pain I had thrown at him all echoed in my head. It echoed louder with each replay.

I had lashed out without holding back. I had hurled my hurt at him like a weapon. Maybe I was hoping or even needing him to fight back. To just give me something to hold onto it some reason to believe he cared enough to stand his ground. But he didn't. He left so easily. He just stood there, his eyes dark with something I couldn’t quite place. I know he feels guilt, regret and even sorrow. Maybe all of it. But I couldn't stop to think rationaly. And yet, he had said nothing. He gave up the explanations. He didn't defend himself. He simply took it, letting my words rip through him like they were deserved. I was wrong.

And now, he was gone.

No calls. No messages. Nothing.

I hadn’t seen him since.

The silence he left behind was louder than my own screaming had been. I'm a mess.

I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling regret press down heavily on my chest. I should have handled things better ( I know).

I should have said something. Anything other than the harsh words I used. But I was so caught up in my emotions that I couldn’t stop myself.

The doctor had come in again earlier to check on me and the baby. “You’ve been under a lot of stress,” he said (again), his voice calm but firm. “Getting worked up like that wouldn't do you or the baby any good. I’d like to keep you one more night, just to make sure you’re okay.” he added.

I nodded. I couldn’t argue even though I just wanted to leave the hospital. But I had a baby to think about. Maybe a few more hours of avoiding the outside world would help. (Maybe it wouldn’t).

Tee sat beside me, talking about everything except what had happened. She wasn’t scared to bring it up, I know her so well. She probably just knew I didn’t want to talk about it. So instead, she filled the silence with light, silly things. Typical Tee.

“I’ve decided I’m going to be the coolest aunt ever,” she said with a grin. “Not just regular cool. Legendary cool.” she said.

I gave a small smile, appreciating her effort. “Oh yeah? That's like the hundredth time you've said that” I said after she talked so much, getting me to join in.

“Absolutely. I’ll take the baby to concerts before they can even talk. Teach them how to prank Jared. And of course, I’ll let them eat all the candy they want.” she laughed.

I chuckled and shook my head. “You’re going to be a bad influence. But on second thought, I can even give up the baby to you Tee” I said jokingly. I felt a lot more myself now.

“The best kind and I would totally love that, Tee. You can be the aunt and then I'll be the mum. The cool mum,” she shot back, winking. “I’ll make sure she's well taken cared of. She would lack nothing. But don’t worry, we'll have fun but there'll be some rules. A perfect mix.” she kept on rambling.

Her words helped, even if only a little. It was a small break from everything I had messed up.

But then reality came back when Jared arrived with Mom the next day. It was time to leave. Time to face everything.

Standing at the hospital entrance, I felt something very heavy in my chest. Going home meant facing everything. My parents. The questions. The looks. And worst of all is that I'll have to face it alone. Don will not be there.

I took a deep breath and forced my feet to move. As we walked to the parking lot, my heart clenched suddenly when I saw a car that looked just like his. Don I mean. For a second, hope rose inside me. Maybe he had come.

But as we got closer, I saw that it wasn’t his. The hope completely disappeared as quickly as it had come.

Of course, he wouldn’t be here. Not after the way I yelled at him. Not after everything I said.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and got into the car, staring out the window as we drove home.

The house looked the same, but I didn’t feel the same. I immediately ignored everyone and climbed the stairs to my room. I was very tired. I wanted to sleep but mostly wanted to disappear into the darkness where I didn’t have to think or feel.

Later that night, as I sat alone in my room, leaning against the headboard, the silence pressed down on me and my mind drifted to Don. His face, the pain in his eyes, the way he had stood there and let Ray hit him like he deserved it. (He kinda did)

I wanted him here. But I couldn’t call him. I knew I couldn't.

A soft knock on my door made my heart jump. For a second, hope flickered inside me. Maybe… maybe it was him. Maybe he came anyway.

“Come in,” I whispered.

The door creaked open, and I held my breath.

But it wasn’t Don.

It was Ray.

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