Chapter 31
Cold, so cold
Sitting in the corner of the room, wrapped in a thin jacket and hands clasped tightly in her lap, Skylar stared blankly at the closed door of the emergency room. Behind that door, Anthony was struggling
Ever since the ambulance arrived and took him, everything felt like a fog. The quick footsteps of the doctors, the sound of medical equipment, the blood on her hands and clothes, all stuck in her head, tearing at her mind. She had never felt this scared.
Just an hour ago. Anthony had laughed at Nile stumbling as he chased Noah, just an hour ago, the world had felt safe and whole.
Now, she sat alone.
In front of the closed operating room, on one of the cold metal chairs.
The hospital air conditioner was on, not too cold, but the anxiety and worry in Skylar’s heart made her almost freeze.
She had entrusted her two children, Nile and Noah, to Wendy, who had immediately come to the hospital after hearing news of Anthony’s stabbing incident in the playground.
Wendy acted quickly. She didn’t ask much and just calmed Skylar down and took over the twins who were scared and crying in confusion seeing their uncle Ant who was unconscious and covered in blood.
Twins, I’ll take you to my house, Wendy said to the twins. Her voice sounded calm and gentle. “You’ll be safe with me and let your mommy accompany uncle Ant here.”
The twins looked at Wendy with doubtful eyes, then turned to Skylar
“Mommy, will uncle Ant be okay?” Noah asked in a small voice. He won’t die, right?”
Skylar choked. She tried to smile even though her eyes felt hot. “No, honey, uncle Ant will survive. You know that he is a strong and great man, right”
Nile took Noah’s shand and held in tightly. “Let’s go with aunt Wendy to her house and we’ll pray there.
Wendy hugged the two children on her right and left sides, then smiled at Skylar
“Don’t worry about them. Ma’am. I take care of everything while you’re here,” Wendy said lightly. “Everything will be okay.”
Wendy was the person Skylar trusted wholeheartedly now and the kids had gotten to know her quite well. But still, there was a pang of guilt that pinched her heart.
I have to be by their side. Hut… I can’t leave Anthony either she whispered softly, as if answering her own thoughts, when Wendy and the ins were gone.
Her thoughts drifted to the early days with Anthony. How the man came into her life like cool breeze when she was walking in a storm
How he accepted Noah and Nile’s presence without hesitation, even loving them like his own flesh and blood. All dur warmth now felt threatened by one dark moment.
The two of them were indeed very close and Skylar realized that the spark of love was between them.
Anthony had told Skylar that he was in love with her and wanted to make her and the twins a part of his life.
He also often showed his feelings without hesitation. His attitude was affectionate and gentle, but never pushy and excessive. He never even touched Skybar carelessly, especially in front of the twins.
Anthony never forced anything on Skylar. He understood that what Skylar had experienced before meeting him had left deep wounds that made
her afraid to open her heart to new love.
Anthony said that he would wait until Skylar was ready to accept him completely. And even if it turned out that Skylar could not accept him the way he expected, he promised to stay by Skylar’s side and the twins as family.
The tears that Skylar had been holding back finally fell. A drop. Two drops. Then torrentially.
“Oh God…save him… Don’t take him from us… Not now, not like this..” she prayed softly in her heart
The grip of her hands tightened. Her head bowed. “He means so much to me, to the twins. He makes my life better, and I want be there for me and my children. I know it’s very selfish, but I don’t want to lose him”
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1034 AM ·
Chapter 31
She was cut off when she heard the footsteps of a nurse, which made her finch. She turned her head quickly.
“Mr. Anthony Bernard’s family the muse greeted calmly
“Yes, nurse! How is my fance? Skylar asked nervously. “How was the operation!”
“The operation went well. The docter is still monitoring the movement of his internal organs, but so far his condition is quite stable. The stab wound was quite deep and his kidney was scratched, but that can be overcome. The doctor has stitched the wound and he will be transferred to the
face with he
Instantly Skylar’s knees felt weak, but also relieved. She nodded quickly, covering her face with her palms. Her tears broke out silently
Thank you God the muttered. She sat back down on the iron chair.
A few hours later, in the treatment room, Skylar sat on the side of the hospital bed where Anthony lay with an IV line in his hand. Her face was pale but praceful, as if sleeping from long exhaustion.
“Why did you have to chase that had guy, Anthony?” Skylar muttered while stroking the back of Anthony’s cold hand. “Why do you always think of us hirst, even though you know it’s dangerous.”
Skylar lowered her head, resting her check on Anthony’s hand. “I’m afraid of losing you, Anthony- more than anything. You’re the only person who makes me feel alive again after all the hurt in the past…”
As if hearing. Anthony’s fingers moved slightly. Skylar immediately looked up
“Anthony” she called softly. “Are you awake?”
Anthony opened his eyes slowly. His vision was blurry for a moment before finally focusing on the woman he loved. His lips formed a small, weak smile, but enough to make Skylar cry again.
“Sky… Don’t cry, baby” Anthony whispered hoarsely. “I’m okay It’s nothing”
Skylar nodded quickly, and she held Anthony’s hand tightly. “I thought I was going to lose you… Do you know how scared I was?”
Im sorry… for making you worry, Anthony answered softly. “But I couldn’t stay still when I knew that person was following us. I just wanted to protect you… and the children
“You always do that for us,” Skylar said in a low voice. “But, you have to put your safety first. There are so many people who need and depend on
Anthony smiled. He squeezed Skylar’s hand gently. “Where are the kids? Are they okay? What about you!”
They’re with Wendy and they’re so worried about you. I couldn’t stop them from seeing you because I was so panicked at the time,” Skylar said with a slightly regretful tone.
Tim sorry, Anthony murmured. I must have worried you guys so much.”
Skylar shook her head and kissed Anthony’s hand, hugging it carefully, afraid to touch his wound. “No, don’t apologize like that. We survived because of you. Now you rest, okay… I’m not going anywhere. I’m here”
Anthony looked into Skylar’s eyes that were glistening with the remains of tears. He knew that he could do anything to protect the beauty of those
And that night, in the quiet hospital room, Skylar sat with the man she had considered her home.
Outude, the storm might still be waiting. But for now, for tonight, she just wanted to be grateful because the person who meant the most to her was still given a chance to live.
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