Chapter 178: Death Of Veronica
Chapter 178: Death Of Veronica
Elena
It took a moment before I had the strength to wipe away the tears that had built up in my eyes. I was afraid that my sudden movement would cause my already weak walls to crumble and for my anguish to be released. I couldn't allow that to happen, I had to be strong, not for me but for Veronica. For the people of this Pack that looked, not only towards Bernard for strength but also to me as well. I had to prove that I could hold my emotions at bay and not be swayed by them.
Veronica was lying on the bed in the room, her body covered in a thin sheet of a blanket. Most of the rooms we had passed had multiple patients crammed into their confines but she was all alone in the room. She had privacy and her own space, it only fueled the need to release the tears that were caught in my throat, choking me. I couldn't speak, I could barely even look upon Veronica.
She was sleeping and that alone was the only reason I was able to keep my wits about me. Her skin was a deathly pale hue and her hair almost white but it had seemed that it changed drastically since the last I saw her. There were several bruises along the one arm that lay on top of the blanket. They dotted up her cracked, dry flesh and up onto her collarbone. She wasn't healing at all, I could see a cast on her other arm just barely as it peeked out from the top of the blanket. There was a large bruise on her right temple that reached down into her eyebrow and almost curled around her eyes.
"The nurse said that she fell again last night when she tried to get up to go to the bathroom." Alisha whispered into my ears carefully not to wake her up.
"What?"
My response was more of a hiss than a soft question but my anger had quickly replaced my despair. How had no one been watching her closely enough to know she was going to get up? I clenched my teeth together, realizing how I was acting as if Alisha had flinched at my response.
I needed to calm down, and mentally I took a step back and pushed all of the angry, abrasive comments I wanted to make to you the staff. Veronica wasn't their only patient and more than likely not the only one in this sort of condition. Personally, since I knew her, it wasn't hard to believe that she would be headstrong enough to have tried to get up on her own. She never wanted to rely on anyone, especially not burdening them with her own issues.
I moved to her side and sat down on the small stool next to the bed. I gently picked up her hand and cradled it on my own, her bones felt weak, her skin almost translucent. She was so fragile in this moment, so easily harmed that I was afraid any movement I would make could damage her further. My touch caused her to stir. Her brow twitched and a soft, hoarse groan released from her lips as she twisted her head slowly in my direction. Her eyes barely lifted yet a smile curled the very edges of her lips.
"Elena," she croaked.
"Is that you?"
"Yes, Veronica." I had to pause to hold down the incessant emotions.
"I am here, I am sorry for not coming sooner."
She tried to shake her head but it proved to be too much energy for her and she quickly gave up.
"No, I am glad you are here. You were so busy but you still came."
"I am never too busy for you."
My vision had blurred even further and this time, I was unable to stop the tears from coming. I barely cared as long as I could continue talking to Veronica.
"I am sorry to worry you." She sighed and shifted her head as though she were looking around the room.
"Your husband must have gone home." Alisha came beside me.
"He was here earlier, he wanted you to have some time with Elena so he left for a while. He should be back soon." Veronica nodded but once before, she released a difficult breath.
"Elena?"
"Yes, Veronica."
"I must ask you a favor."
"Of course, anything."
I tried not to sound too shocked or excited. She never asked for anything and never relied on anyone. Yet she was doing so with me, she trusted me enough to ask for this favor.
"Please, watch over my husband for me, I am worried about him."
The implications of her favor had my heart tied in a noose and drained of all blood in an instant.
"Of course, I will. Don't worry but you will get better and then you can watch over him."
The laugh that escaped her throat was heartbreaking and I coughed through my tears. Her response didn't have to be spoken, I could feel it in the weak pressure of her hand as she tried to squeeze my own. Even as she lay in this bed, she still tried to reassure me. She was still taking care of everyone else as strong as ever.
"Thank you for coming."
It took a difficult two minutes in order for me to stay reserved. I had to look up at the lights and repeatedly blink in order to hold the sobs and choked cries back. Why now? Why was this happening to us no.
Elena, don't worry about me, I have lived a very fulfilling life. You have become an amazing woman with a strong and fearless mate at your side. Your children will be even stronger and they will forever be a reflection of the pure person that you are."
"Veronica," l had to pause in order to clear my throat and stop myself from breaking down.
"Stop talking like that, you are going to be fine. Your husband will be back soon."
"I am so tired." She sighed.
"I have held on for as long as I could, I think I wanted to see you one last time. That was all I needed."
Her eyes opened a little wide so that her pale, distant gaze was able to meet mine. I almost choked on the depth of emotions, pain, anguish, and relief that swam beneath that look. She is happy with where she was. Why wouldn't she be? She accomplished so much in this life and would continue to accomplish so much more even long after she was gone.
"What about your husband?"
I couldn't help but try and reason with her. I knew I was being selfish but I couldn't help it, I can't lose her. It was like I would be losing a piece of myself.
"As long as you are there for him, he will make it through. Trust me, you are the strongest woman I know."
"Veronica," here came some more tears.
"I am not as strong as you think I am."
I never would be on the level that she had wanted me to be. Never be as great of a person as he was.
"You have done so much in your life already, you have a long way to go. Don't wallow in self-doubt or pain for losing me. I will always be watching over you." She pushed out another smile, this time, it was larger.
"To be next to Bernard, I am glad that I was able to see that."
Veronica relaxed into her bed and closed her. She was peaceful, the small movement of her chest was the only indication that she was still breathing, although it was so faint that I wasn't sure if it was merely a trick of the light. But I could still sense her, the spirit was the strongest part of ourselves and Veronica was holding on for as long as she could because she knew I was hurting.
How could I be any more selfish than I already have been? She deserves peace in this moment, not needing to be concerned about my well-being. I leaned forward and whispered so only she could hear me if she was still listening.
"It is okay, Veronica. I will be fine, I will watch over your husband and the Pack. I will stay strong for you, you can rest now."
My words became mumbled near the end as my tears were constantly streaming down my face and my throat was swollen and closed. I tried my best not to choke through the sentence before laying my head down on her hand, wanting to feel her for one last time. But in that moment, I was able to feel her peace. I felt it as the tension was released from her and she sighed giving in to the pull of the other side. I clenched my teeth once more and held my cries back.
Veronica has passed on and now I had to remain strong for the entirety of the Pack, my pack, my people.
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