Chapter 111

ISABELLA
Matt tried to shake his head, just a little, and dropped it back on the pillow. That was all he could manage.
“You’re going to be okay,” Caroline whispered beside me. “You don’t have to say anything.”
Lilian leaned in and kissed his temple gently, whispering something I didn’t catch. Sam looked pale, his jaw clenched tight as he stood at the foot of the bed, unmoving.
I stared at Matt, at his bruises, at his broken face. My stomach turned. Just how badly had they beaten him before someone stepped in? What kind of monsters—
“Matt,” I whispered, anger slipping through the edges of my voice. “Did you know those boys? Were they people you hang out with?”
He blinked once—slow—and then again, his face twitching as if in protest. His lips parted like he wanted to shout “no” but even that effort cost him too much. I watched him sink back into the pillow, exhausted.
Of course he didn’t. I knew that. I just wanted to understand why this happened.
He had friends, yes, but Matt never ran with thugs. He didn’t do trouble. He went to school. Played ball. Came home. Ate dinner with us.
What the hell had happened? Who the hell…
I took his hand in both of mine. It felt clammy. Fragile. “You don’t have to explain right now. Just... just get better, okay?”
His eyes fluttered closed briefly, then reopened to look at me with a faint flicker of something—regret? Reassurance? It was hard to tell.
I pressed my forehead to his hand, blinking back tears.
“We love you, Matt,” Caroline added, and Lilian echoed it softly with a kiss on his cheek.
After a while, I stood and quietly stepped out. I needed answers. I needed to breathe.
The doctor’s office was around the corner. She welcomed me in with a nod and gestured to the chair across from her desk. The room smelled faintly of eucalyptus and paper.
“Thank you for coming,” she said. “Matt’s condition is stable. The scan showed a moderate concussion, and we’re treating him for bruised ribs. There was no internal bleeding, which is a blessing. But the blow to his head was severe. We’ll be observing him for at least the next twenty-four hours.”
I sank into the chair, my fingers twitching in my lap.
“Will he be okay?”
“With rest and proper care, yes. But no stress, no physical exertion for the next few weeks. We’ll give you detailed instructions when he’s discharged.” She paused, studying me. “And... the bill will be emailed to you by the front desk.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said softly, swallowing hard. “For everything.”
She smiled gently. “He’s lucky to have you. If you need anything, we’re here.”
I nodded and stood, murmuring another thank-you before heading back.
The others were still in the room when I returned. Matt’s eyes were open again, and everyone was speaking to him in whispers. Levi stood in the corner, arms crossed, silent as a statue but with his eyes fixed on me.
I walked over and took Matt’s hand again.
“You can’t talk now, but someday you will. And when that time comes, I want the whole story. I just hope the cops deal with the bastards who did this.” I exhaled shakily, brushing my thumb over his bruised knuckles.
Behind me, I heard Levi’s low voice.
“You should let him rest, Isabella.”
I turned to him and gave a slow nod. He was right. Matt had done enough just surviving.
A nurse stepped in, her tone firm but polite. “It’s time. He needs uninterrupted rest now.”
One by one, we filtered out. Caroline’s face had gone unreadable again, her emotions hidden behind a blank stare. Lilian clung to Sam’s arm, and Levi lingered at my side.
As the door shut behind us, I looked back once more at my little brother, lying broken but alive.
I would not rest until I found out who had done this.
And they would pay.
“I’ll handle it,” Levi said, following close behind as I led the way back to the waiting room.
I stopped, “Handle what.”
He met my eyes, “You want those guys to pay and I will make them. Alright?”
I nodded, a flutter swelling in my chest. “Alright.”
We walked in silence, shoulder to shoulder, until we reached the waiting area where the others sat. The tension in the room was thick, everyone worn down and anxious.
“Should I drop you off at home?” I asked Lilian gently.
She shook her head. “No, Sam and I came together. We’ll head back in Sam’s car.”
“Okay. Please do. Your parents must be worried sick. Caroline and I will stay with Matt for now. Thank you—for everything,” I said, my voice softening.
Lilian stood and hugged me tightly. “We’ll come back tomorrow. Let us know if anything changes,” she promised before walking out with Sam.
I turned to Levi. “You too—go home.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but didn’t. Instead, he nodded. “Let me at least drive you both home so you can get changed.”
“You can’t spend the night here dressed like that,” he added, glancing meaningfully at me.
I felt my cheeks warm under his gaze. “Fine.”
I patted Caroline’s shoulder gently. She blinked awake, groggy from the long wait.
“Let’s go grab some clothes and a few things,” I told her.
She nodded, yawning as she stood, and the three of us headed out into the night.