Page 66 of Ruthless Blade

I opened my eyes again, and the room came into focus slowly. There were white walls, the monitor beeping beside me, with an IV running into my arm.

Then I looked to my right, and Mom was sitting there, scrolling through her phone.

“Mom?” My voice croaked, as if I hadn’t talked in days.

“Alexis,” her face was blotchy and red, mascara smudged beneath her eyes. Tears streaked down her cheeks, and she didn't bother wiping them away.

What should I say? The last time I saw her, I asked her to leave, furious. I was still pissed, even seeing her there, crying like she cared. I didn’t know what to think, but seeing her like that was like the day at the hospital all over again...

"Mom?" My voice was hoarse.

She looked at me, and for a moment, something flickered across her face. Relief? Fear? Then it was gone, replaced by eyes that went blank.

"The doctor said you're going to be okay," her voice wobbled, and her hands were on the railing of the bed, but she didn’t reach for me. "You have a concussion, and some broken ribs, but you’ll be okay.”

Something was wrong. She wasn’t looking me in the eye.

I licked my chapped lips, “Where’s Dad? Jake? Are they okay?” Something inside me, I couldn’t figure out what it was, but something deep inside me knew they weren’t okay.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, tears fell.

No, no, no. It’s not possible. This can’t be happening.

My lip trembled, and suddenly I didn’t want to hear it.

“They...they didn’t make it.” That was it, the final words that broke the barrier.

She didn't say another word. Didn’t hold me while I screamed, wanting them back. She stood back, tears in her eyes and watched me crumble, while she suffered in silence.

We were never the same after that.

She stood up slowly, like she was afraid I might tell her to leave. She took a step closer to the bed, her hands twisting together.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I swallowed, mouth dry. "Like I got beat up."

It came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't take it back.

She flinched, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I’m so sorry.”

My eyebrows creased. What was she sorry for? She couldn’t help that I got beat up.

"The doctor said they wanted to keep you overnight to make sure everything is okay.”

I looked away, staring at the ceiling. The beeping of the monitor filled the silence. This is awkward, really fucking awkard.

"You don't have to stay," I said quietly.

"Yes, I do."

"Why?" It was harsh, but I didn’t care. Last time we talked, she tried to make me feel bad for going off on her. "You haven't wanted to be around me since my fall. Why start now?"

She flinched again, but she didn't look away. "I was wrong.”

You’re wrong about a lot of things Mom, but you’ve never listened to me before, so why should it matter?

I let out a bitter laugh, then winced as pain shot through my ribs. "You were wrong."