Panic
Austin’s footsteps echoed softly against the polished hospital floor as he walked back and forth, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The message he’d received earlier played on repeat in his head, each word a puzzle he couldn’t solve. Who was behind this? What did they want with Dora? The questions gnawed at him, refusing to let him rest. Even now, as he tried to focus on her safety, the weight of the unknown threat pressed heavily on his shoulders.
The memory of the accident flashed in his mind, the screech of tires, the blur of motion, and the split-second decision to shield Dora with his own body. His forearm still ached from where the car’s side mirror had struck him, the bandage a stark reminder of how close they’d come to disaster. The hospital staff had assured him the injury wasn’t serious, but the emotional toll was another story. Dora had been shaken, and now, with this new threat looming, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. He pulled it out, his stomach sinking as he read the message: You will pay for your mistake. His jaw tightened, but what came next made his blood run cold. Attached was a photo of Dora, taken in the very hospital they were in. The angle suggested the sender was close, too close. His heart pounded as he sprinted toward her room, his mind racing with possibilities.
When he burst into the ward, the doctor was just finishing Dora’s check-up. She sat on the same chair as in the photo, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Austin’s eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of the intruder, but everything seemed normal. Too normal.
“I’m her husband,” he said quickly, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. “Is she okay?”
The doctor nodded, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Everything looks fine. Just a precautionary check-up. She’s cleared to go home, but make sure she rests.”
Austin barely heard the doctor’s words. His focus was entirely on Dora. She avoided his gaze, her foot tapping nervously against the floor. Her cheeks were flushed, and he could tell she was uncomfortable. Something was off, and he needed to know what.
As the doctor left, Dora stood abruptly, brushing past him without a word. Austin reached out, catching her hand before she could walk away. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now.
“Yes,” she replied, but her eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet his.
“Then why are you avoiding me?” he pressed, his brow furrowing.
“It’s nothing,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. She tried to pull her hand free, but he held on gently, his touch firm but not forceful.
“Catty,” he said, using the nickname he hadn’t called her in years. The effect was immediate. Her head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she just stared at him, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“I was in shock,” she finally admitted, her voice trembling.
“About what?” Austin asked, his confusion growing.
She hesitated, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. “Nothing,” she said quickly, but the way she fidgeted told him otherwise.
“Then why are you blushing?” he asked, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice despite the tension.
Dora let out a frustrated sigh, her face burning. “Fine, I kissed you, okay? But that doesn’t mean you win the bet.”
Austin blinked, caught off guard. “Bet?” It took him a moment to process her words, but when he did, a laugh escaped him before he could stop it. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? Because you kissed me?”
Dora crossed her arms, her embarrassment turning to irritation. “It’s not funny,” she muttered, though the corners of her mouth twitched as if she were fighting a smile.
“It’s a little funny,” he said, grinning. “But seriously, Catty, you don’t have to be embarrassed. It’s just us.”
She rolled her eyes, but the tension between them eased. For a moment, it felt like old times, like the days when they could laugh together without the weight of the world on their shoulders.
“Let’s go home,” Austin said, taking her hand in his. She didn’t pull away this time, and the warmth of her touch sent a wave of calm through him. “We can figure everything out there.”
Dora nodded, her earlier unease fading. “Wait, I need to let Sienna know what’s going on. She’s probably worried.”
“Already taken care of,” Austin said, rolling his eyes. “I called her while you were getting checked. She knows we’re fine.”
Dora raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you talk to Sienna?”
“Since I knew you’d worry if I didn’t,” he replied, his tone light but sincere. “Now, come on. Let’s get out of here.”
As they left the hospital, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city. Austin kept a firm grip on Dora’s hand, his mind still racing but his heart a little lighter. For the first time in what felt like forever, they were talking, really talking, without the walls they’d built between them.
When they reached the apartment, Ann greeted them at the door, her usual cheerful self. Dora barely noticed when Austin followed her into the bedroom, too focused on finishing some work she’d brought home. It wasn’t until he hissed in pain that she looked up, her eyes widening as she saw him struggling to remove his blood-stained shirt.
“Stop,” she said, rushing to his side. “You’re going to make it worse.” She carefully undid the buttons, her fingers brushing against his chest as she worked. Austin watched her, his breath catching at the tenderness in her touch.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured when he winced, her voice filled with concern. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers. “But did I hurt you?”
Dora froze, her hands stilling on his shirt. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Austin took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “The abortion,” he said, his voice steady but gentle. “Did it hurt you?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak. The weight of his words hung between them, heavy and unspoken. Finally, she nodded, her voice breaking as she whispered, “Yes.”
Austin pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she cried. He didn’t have the words to fix what had been broken, but for the first time in a long time, he was determined to try. Whatever threat was out there, they would face it together.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
