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The doctor nods. “You were likely given something—a sedative or a downer. We won’t know for sure unless we run tests. Are you experiencing any pain?”

My body aches, but it’s dull compared to the nausea rolling through me. “Just a little. But I feel sick.”

“Alright. We’ll keep you hydrated and monitor you until whatever’s in your system clears out.”

Eddie’s grip on me doesn’t loosen. If anything, it tightens, like he’s afraid I’ll slip away again. “How long until she’s okay?”

The doctor exhales. “It depends on what she was given, but the worst of it should wear off in a few hours.”

Eddie nods stiffly, his jaw tight. “Thanks.”

The doctor does a few more checks, asking me to follow his finger with my eyes, checking my pulse. Then he glances at Eddie. “We should run blood tests to confirm what she was given. It’ll help in case we need to counteract anything.”

Eddie turns his gaze to me, his eyes searching mine. “Do you want to do that, baby?”

I hesitate, feeling small, uncertain. “Do you think I should?”

His fingers stroke over my knuckles. “Yeah, sweetheart, I do. I want to know what’s in your system, make sure there’s nothing dangerous. Better to be safe.”

I nod slowly, my pulse quickening at the thought of needles. “I… I don’t like needles,” I admit in a small voice.

Eddie shifts closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I know, baby. But I promise, I won’t leave your side. You don’t have to do this alone.”

My chest tightens, but his steady presence anchors me. “Okay,” I whisper. “But don’t let go.”

“Never.”

The doctor prepares a syringe while Eddie adjusts his hold on me, keeping one arm wrapped around my shoulders as he strokes my hair. “Just focus on me, sweetheart,” he murmurs against my forehead. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

I bury my face in his chest as the doctor finds a vein in my arm. My fingers tighten in Eddie’s shirt, and I feel his hand clasp over mine, grounding me. “You’re doing great, Laney,” he whispers. “Almost done.”

A sharp prick, a slight pressure, then it’s over.

The doctor withdraws the needle and places a small bandage over my arm. “That’s it. Results should be back soon.”

I exhale shakily, relief washing over me. Eddie presses a kiss to my hair. “Proud of you, baby.”

“She should rest,” the doctor says. “Water, electrolytes, no sudden movements. If anything gets worse—if she starts havingtrouble breathing, gets dizzy, or anything else feels off—you call me immediately.”

Eddie barely acknowledges him, just nods once. The doctor gives me a reassuring look before packing up and heading for the door. When it clicks shut, I sag against Eddie, exhaustion settling deep in my bones.

He strokes my hair, his touch light but steady. “I got you,” he murmurs against the top of my head. “You’re safe now, Laney.”

A tear slips down my cheek, unbidden. “I don’t remember, Eddie.”

He exhales, his lips brushing my hair. “That’s probably for the best.”

The weight of that statement sits heavy between us. I don’t know what happened, but from the way Eddie is holding me, from the barely controlled fury still simmering in his voice, I know it was bad. And I know he’s not telling me everything.

“W…was…I…. Did he rape me?” I take an inventory but nothing feels tender down there, but still, not knowing is somehow worse.

I feel Eddie shake his head. “No, baby, he didn’t get the chance. I got to you in time.”

A shudder of relief ripples through me that whoever attacked me didn’t rape me, but still, the feeling of violation makes me squirm with revulsion.

“I’m so fucking sorry this happened to you, baby.”

Eddie sounds wrecked and angry, but his words to me are gentle and filled with guilt.