Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Alessia Guzman
I woke up in a dim and unfamiliar room, illuminated only by the soft light seeping through the blinds. The bed I was lying on was uncomfortable and stiff, a far cry from the feather–soft bed I remembered sleeping on.
The smell of antiseptics filled the air and the faint outline of medical equipment filled the room.
Where was I? And how did I get here?
Just then, a nurse’s face appeared through the door with a reassuring smile on her face. “You’re awake.” She said softly as she walked into the room.
I tried to say something but my voice sounded hoarse from all the crying.
“What was that?” The nurse asked.
I cleared my throat and tried repeating myself.
“What happened?” I asked again, but my voice came out like a mere whisper.
My mind struggled to piece together fragments but I couldn’t quite grasp the answer as it always remained elusive.
Lried to sit up and winced in pain as I felt a sharp pain around my stomach.
My baby!
I gazed in panic at the nurse, asking the unspoken question.
The look of sympathy on her face was enough to tell me my answer and my face contorted in a heart–wrenching sob.
“Oh, no, don’t cry dear. It’s gonna be fine. You have a healthy womb and you’ll make more healthy babies.” She said, trying to comfort me.
She cleared her throat like she was about to say something important but was a bit hesitant.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Okay. I don’t mean to pry but we’re all concerned about the bruises all over your body and the miscarriage. We also couldn’t help but notice the man who brought you in had blood all over him. I contemplated calling the police but I wanted to ask you about it first.”
What?
They must’ve thought Leonardo did this to me!
“No, no, no.” I quickly said.
“And don’t you think of covering for him by giving me that cliche line of I walked into a wall?” She warned.
“He saved me from my ex who wanted to kill me. He’s innocent of any of this.” I said, just then realizing that I was beginning to see Leonardo in a new light.
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Chapter 23
The door suddenly flew open and the three men in my life fluttered in, almost tripping over each other to get to my bedside
fast.
If the situation wasn’t so tragic, I would’ve laughed at how childish they were acting.
The nurse excused herself but not before I noticed the blush tha crept up her cheeks.
I didn’t blame her though. Three handsome men in a clustered room would do that to anyone.
“I would give anything to bring that monster back to life just to kill him over and over again,” Russo said as he held onto–my hand.
I gave him a faint smile as tears continued pouring down my cheeks.
“Leonardo.” I croaked in between sobs, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“Bellissima.” He said softly, his rough exterior softening just a touch. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a trunk. I lost my baby… our baby.” I sobbed even louder.
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re tougher than anyone give you credit for, mi amore. It’s going to be alright.” He said, kissing my hand.”
“Hey, sis. Enough with the crying. It’s gonna be alright.” Anthonic said as he stood by the edge of the bed.
“Just take me home please.”
It’s been weeks since I got out of the hospital after losing my pregnancy.
I had just finished eating an entire meal for the first time in weeks. I was in my room trying to figure out what the hell I should do with my life now.
Russo and Anthonio had gone to my father to help with an operation or something he had to do. I wouldn’t know….they never tell me anything.
But they were gone and the huge mansion was always eerily quiet because Leonardo seemed to keep his distance.
I was beginning to feel a slight resentment towards him. Even though he wasn’t exactly the one who caused my miscarriage, it was because of him I was in such a dangerous situation.
It wasn’t exactly exciting going back to my father.
Not like he would even let me back in. My last thought is Isabella. She lives alone in her apartment and I needed a change of
scenery.
Plus, I had been avoiding her ever since the incident. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I bunked with her for a while until I could figure myself out.
I didn’t want to stay here anymore with Leonardo. No matter how he tries to say it, I know my life is more in danger with him than it was without him.
Having made up my mind, I take out my phone and call Isabella. She picks on the second ring.
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Chapter 23
“Hey, Isa.” I greet her.
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“Hey, honeyy. I’m so glad you called me. Russo told me everything. I’m so sorry for dragging you out that night. It was all my fault.” She said, her voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
Did she think I was blaming her?
“Of course not Isabella. It wasn’t your fault but that sick dude I can’t believe I once called a boyfriend.” I said reassuringly.
“I’m so sorry regardless. Is there anything you need? You know, I’ll always be here for you.”
“Thank you. I–I wanted to ask you. Does the offer to come live with you still stand?”
I couldn’t help but think that if I had just taken her up on her offer the first time, then none of this would’ve happened.
+5
“Seriously? Hell yes! We’ll binge–watch every single show on Netflix, get super drunk, and cry together about our shitty lives.” She laughs, excited. “But will Leonardo be okay with this?”
“He doesn’t have a choice. I’m not a prisoner here and I feel like my life is more in danger with him.”
“Just let me know babe. I’m here for you.” “Thank you so much, Isa. I’ll be around soon.”
“Okay, bye babe.”
I hung up the phone, contemplating how to tell Leonardo that I no longer chose to stay with him.
Putting my thoughts aside, I got out of bed and walked towards his office.
I’m guessing he was there because that’s where he spends most of his time anyway. I walked in without knocking.
He was looking down at his computer screen, writing something, then looked up with a frown on his face to scold whoever dared to disturb him.
The frown changed into a light smirk when he realized that it was me. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked.
And all I wanted to do was slap that silly smirk off his face.
