Chapter 109
ISABELLA
My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I hated how jittery I was, how fear turned every nerve in my body into static. I was grateful Levi was here, though I’d rather swallow nails than admit it to his smug face.
And yet, he was right—God, I hated that he was right. I was a disaster behind the wheel when I was nervous, angry, or scared. The last time I drove in a panic—late for a shift—I nearly rammed into a street vendor’s cart. Twice. I could barely hold the steering wheel, let alone steer it.
I kept exhaling hard, trying to force calm into my lungs. It didn’t work. Levi glanced over, then rested his hand gently over mine, which were locked too tight in my lap.
“We should’ve taken my Tesla,” he said.
“It’s fine. Just—focus on the road. I’m fine,” I lied.
He nodded and went back to weaving expertly through traffic. The hospital was close now. The closer we got, the tighter my stomach twisted.
“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” he said after a beat. “We’re almost there. You can relax. Do you know what happened?”
“I don’t know.” I bit down on my lip. “Caroline didn’t give details. What if he was stabbed? What if he’s dying?” My voice cracked. I hated myself for it.
I didn’t know who Matt had been with, what mess he’d gotten himself tangled in this time. I warned him—again and again—but he never listened. Stupid boy. Dammit.
Levi didn’t flinch. “I just have a feeling... he’s not in a very terrible state.”
I pressed my palms to my face, shutting my eyes, trying to shut out the fear. His hand left mine, returning to the wheel. I hoped—prayed—he was right.
When we reached the hospital, I stepped out of the car on shaky legs. All the worst-case scenarios I’d been trying to suppress came flooding back. What if I lost him?
Levi must’ve sensed it. His hand came down on my shoulder.
“You’re being paranoid,” he said calmly. “He’s fine. Trust me.”
Easy for him to say. I’d already lost my parents and him. I couldn’t lose Matt too. I wasn’t strong enough.
“I’m always paranoid when it comes to Matt,” I muttered. “The boy gives me heart attacks. I never know where he’s been or who he’s with. Too many friends. Too many bad choices.”
“Calm down,” Levi said. “Let me lead you inside.”
And I let him. I didn’t have the strength to argue. His hand stayed on my shoulder as we walked through the automatic doors into the hospital.
Inside, the reception area was brightly lit and eerily calm—sleek floors, pastel walls, potted plants trying too hard to make the place feel human. The receptionist barely looked up.
Then I saw them—Caroline, Lilian, and Sam—huddled together in the waiting area.
Lilian was Matt’s girlfriend. Nineteen, sweet, always hiding in oversized clothes. Her dark skin and box braids framed a face too soft for the chaos Matt often brought. She was too good for him. I kept hoping her love might be enough to change him.
Sam stood next to her. Tall, Latino, always in a fez cap. Too composed for someone in the middle of a crisis.
The moment they saw me, they stood. I rushed toward them, Levi right behind.
“Where is he? Have you seen him?”
Caroline answered. “The doctor said he’s still unconscious. We’ll see him once he wakes up.”
My heart plummeted like a rock.
“He was with you?” I turned to Sam, then to Lilian. “You two?”
They both nodded.
“So what happened? How is he unconscious and you’re both standing here like nothing happened?”
I didn’t care who stared. Didn’t care how loud I was.
“We were all together,” Lilian said, her voice trembling. “It wasn’t an accident. Some guys picked a fight. Something stupid. They decided to hurt Matt.”
“Did you call the cops? Are they arrested?”
“Yes. We called. They ran, but one cop chased after them. We got Matt here with the officer. We already gave statements. They know it wasn’t our fault.”
“When you got here—was he still conscious?”
“Yeah.” She sniffled. “One of them hit him in the head. He was muttering stuff… then he went quiet right after we got here.”
Her voice cracked. That’s when I noticed the tears streaking her cheeks.
Levi touched my shoulder again, steadying me. I leaned into him, too drained to pretend I didn’t need him. All our past—every fight, every unsaid word—none of it seemed to matter now.
Caroline was still seated, head bowed, hands locked in prayer. Somehow, that brought me a sliver of peace. Between her whispered pleas and Levi’s steady arms around me, I could finally breathe.
Just a little.
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