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Chapter 34

Chloe

“Chloe?” My dad sat on the edge of the bed with his hand on my knee. “Chloe, darling, you can’t keep ignoring him.”

I rolled over slightly with a blank expression on my face. “I can and I will.” I rolled back onto my side, and stared at the hospital’s white wall. “Just tell him I’m not up to seeing anyone.” I mumbled into the pillow, which was still slightly damp from my tears.

“Chloe, he knows you’re lying.” My dad sighed softly, still pressing the conversation even though I was sick of having it.

“Fine then.” I threw the blankets back and got up abruptly, storming across the room and throwing myself in an armchair, trying to get away from him. “Go tell him the truth.” I pointed an arm out in the direction of the door. “Tell him I never want to see him again! Tell him I’m done. TELL HIM I DON’T CARE!” The heartache I was feeling was clear in my voice.

“He saved your life, Chloe.” Dad looked at me from the bed. Why was he even bothering trying to make me let Alec see me?

“He should have let me die.” I wiped a tear from under my eye away and my face returned the emotional blankness. “He shouldn’t have bothered.”

“Do not say that.”

“Fine then, Dad.” I looked at him. “Tell Alec that I wish him and Gabby all the best. That I am well and that I thank him for saving me, so that I can experience losing him.” Anger boiled through my veins. “I hate humans.”

Dad looked sadly at me, the same look he had been giving me all week. “Just let him speak to you,” he began to beg me again. “Please Chloe, you are working yourself up over nothing.”

“Nothing?” I arched an eyebrow. “So my mate isn’t married to a human. He didn’t choose that human over me. Daniel didn’t dump me for a human? And I didn’t just nearly die while trying to run after a man, in the hopeless belief that he would choose me over his mate?” I shook my head bitterly. “And to top it all off, the one who saved me is also the one who is killing me slowly.”

“I can’t talk to you when you are like this.” Frustrated, Dad got up from the bed. “Ever since you woke up last week, you have convinced yourself that Alec doesn’t want you.” He slammed a fist down on the small table next to the hospital bed. “When in reality it is far from the truth. He has stayed here every day since your operation, Chloe, and you haven’t let him see you ONCE!”

“DON’T YELL AT ME!”

“He isn’t stupid, you know.” Dad looked at me with pure anger. “He knows you don’t want to see him and you’re hurting him, Chloe. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

I didn’t say anything to Dad as he left the room slamming the hospital door behind him. He could yell at me all he wanted, but the truth still stood. Alec was with his mate.

I ran my hands through my hair. I wasn’t helping myself by thinking of Alec. It was only making my healing slower because I was drained by my emotions.

I looked slowly up at the closed door. Was Alec out there? Had he really been here all week, just waiting? I got up from the chair, trying to ignore the shooting pains running up my back as I moved.

Placing my hand on the doorknob, I twisted it and stuck my head out into the hallway. It was empty. Opening the door, I walked up the hallway. All the room doors were closed. Looks like I am not the only one who likes privacy.

Though I admit I was just trying to keep people blocked out.

Finally reaching the waiting room, I closed my eyes briefly before walking in, preparing myself. I opened my eyes. Sure enough, there was Alec sitting in a corner chair, his head in his hands. Guilt began to build in my stomach.

Why was he even bothering? Wasn’t his mate in the hospital too? He should be with her.

“Who shouldn’t be here,” I said, and his head snapped up in my direction. His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles around them. When was the last time he slept?

“Chloe.” His voice was husky and crackled. I noticed the tear stains on his face now. Oh my god, what had I done?

“You’re awake,” he gulped, looking me up and down “You came to see me.” He looked at me slightly hopefully.

I nodded my head. “I don’t know what made me come down here.” Really I couldn’t believe he was actually here waiting, all this time. “Why?’ I had to ask. What was making him stay?

His mouth opened slightly. He looked at me, confused, before he slowly got to his feet and walked towards me. “What do you mean why?”

“Why are you here?” I frowned at him. I couldn’t understand it! Why would he save me? Why would he stay here waiting for me, when he had someone else? Bitterness filled my heart, someone who was more important than me. “Gabby is her name, isn’t it?”

“You wouldn’t see me because of Gabby?” He looked at me, shocked. “I thought you wouldn’t see me because…” He choked up slightly. “Because it’s my fault you’re here.”

“You weren’t behind the wheel. I was.” My legs began to shake. I wasn’t meant to be on my feet. Bed rest, the doctor told me. Placing a hand on the doorframe, steadying myself, I said, “I need to sit down.”