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I can tell by the way she’s genuinely frightened that she’s telling the truth. I investigated Jolene the minute Lacy said she was her high school bully. She’s a health nurse, does blood tests, and helps out around the ward. She isn’t a seasoned professional, and I dare say has never had to help a patient like this.
Lacy has an IV connected to her arm, her body lifeless and pale, and my whole world crumbles.
“Lacy!” I feel for her pulse, which is faint, and I thank the stars her chest is still rising and falling as I manically start looking her over.
“Lacy!” I yell, as I get to work pulling the IV from her arm. By the look of the bag, she has donated more than another pint of blood, and I’m furious as I try to stem the blood flow while I simultaneously feel her pulse to ensure she is still strong.
I’m breathing heavily, panic crawling up my throat. I’m a doctor, a seasoned professional, but the insane fear and adrenaline that I felt months ago grabbing her from the rafters at Marie’s Place comes crashing back to me.
“I have her, Doctor Hamilton,” one of my colleagues says, pushing through the door with a team. They know I’m off duty. It’s hospital protocol that I step aside and let them handle it, but I don’t want to let her go. My heart literally falls out of my chest as they push in front of meand take over. I don’t want them to have to restrain me and forget about Lacy, so I step back quickly, moving out of their way, and watch them work on her. I fist my hands. Watching others treat her is the hardest thing I have ever had to do as they try to rouse her, attaching machines to check her heart and pulse. My eyes flick to Jolene, who is standing to the side, shock on her face, and a healthy dose of reality of exactly how precious life is on her mind.
I can barely breathe. I swallow hard, my mouth dry as I look back at Lacy. Her body is still limp, her beautiful hair out, her features softened and her skin deathly pale. She looks rested, at peace, and I look up to the ceiling and close my eyes, praying that this isn’t the end.
She will be alright. She has to be, because I’m going to marry this girl.
43
LACY
Ihear voices, but I feel like I’m far away, in a tunnel.
“She will be fine. Needs rest. But she has had fluids and an iron transfusion. She will make a full recovery,” I hear Hudson say quietly.
“So what, Melody tried to bleed her dry?” my mom asks, and I hear the pain in her tone.
“Apparently,” Hudson grits out before I moan, trying to talk.
“Lacy?” Hudson asks, his voice panicked. “Lacy baby, do you hear me?” A grip on my hand tightens.
“Hmmmm, where am I?” I croak out, squeezing my eyes shut, my body feeling heavy, no energy to even move.
“You’re in the hospital, sweetheart,” my mom’s voice comes through again, and I feel her squeeze my other hand.
“Mom?” I ask, wanting to know how she is.
“I’m fine, honey. A bit tender and sore, but fine. My surgery went well and was over quickly.”
I try to pull at my memories—her surgery, hospital, what happened before that.Melody.
“What happened?” I ask as I slowly open my eyes. I see Hudson’s face looking down at me from right above. He is blocking the bright lights, his eyes full of concern. I’ve seen this before. Months ago, after Marie’s Place. We have been in this exact same position, and I try to take a deep breath. His hand cups my face.
“It has been one hell of a day, baby.” He sounds a little choked up, his eyes watering a little.
“I’m okay. We’re okay,” I whisper to him, then another realization hits me with a powerful force as I remember why Melody was so upset. As I remember that Hudson now knows the truth. “The professor?” I ask him quietly, and he nods.
“We got him. I’m sorry I broke my word to you. I’m sorry that I got other people involved in what is your private history, But Lacy, I needed to keep my initial promise to you. I’ve got you, baby. I’ve always got you,” he says, and I tear up and nod shakily, not confident in my voice right now.
“The professor is being questioned by police,” he tells me, and I hear my mom huff.
“I’d like to question him with this walking stick I’ve got here,” she grumbles, and I look at Hudson with widening eyes and a sinking stomach.
“She knows. All our friends and family know now. Victoria, Tanner, and Connor are right outside with Harvey—none of them want to leave here without seeing you today.”
Taking that in, I don’t feel as badly about everyoneknowing as I thought I would. It’s more comforting than anything, having support, not having to keep this secret any longer. I swallow and try to sit up a bit. As I do, I see my mom in a wheelchair next to my bed.
“Mom, shouldn’t you be resting?” I ask her. I don’t want her putting her own health at risk for me.
“Tsk. I’m fine. Feel a bit like a pin cushion, but otherwise okay. They found a small bleed. They fixed it and I’m all fine now.”