Page 140 of Eternal

“I didn’t know.” He tries to fight, but Captain Evans is stronger. “I was a silent partner. This is a mistake.”

Jacob stops in front of my father. “Was it also a mistake that you funneled Sigma House money to Simon Blackthorn? Did you think we’d never find the paper trail?”

My father’s face pales with the realization that this isn’t just a legal issue. He’s been in trouble before, but Sigma House always cleaned it up. Except this time, he turned on them, and there’s no chance of being saved.

“Jacob.” My father’s eyes widen, and for the first time in my life, I see fear in them. “I wouldn’t do this. You know me.”

“I thought I did.” Jacob steps back, letting Captain Evans usher my father from the room.

“Wait.” He fights. “You know me.”

My head swims when I try to process what’s going on around me. Whatever sedative Dr. Parish gave me is really starting to kick in.

“Are you okay?” Declan turns his attention to me.

“I don’t know.” I rest my forehead against Declan’s chest, and I swear I melt into him.

I should be terrified that my soul feels like it’s leaving my body, but in Declan’s arms, I believe he’ll keep me safe.

Voices continue to increase in volume around me. At one point, I think I hear my mother say something. But nothing is clear as the sedative takes me away. Nothing but Declan.

“I’ve got you, love.” He buries his nose in my hair. “I’ve got you. Let’s get you home.”

I thought it was impossible to touch the stars.

Maybe I was wrong.

If I lie in the darkness and reach up to the sky, I might not feel them, but they sparkle like they feel me. They shoot across the obsidian night and offer me hope when I didn’t have any left. And they stay with me now when I blink my eyes open.

A dark ceiling stares back at me when my vision slowly comes into focus. Small speckles float around the room as I slowly drift back down into my body. My fingers twitch as my eyelashes flutter, and I think I’m alone until a hand wraps itself over mine.

“You’re back.”

I turn my head to the voice and see Declan lying on the bed next to me. He’s resting on his side, watching me regain life.

“Where—” I glance around, and my neck is sore with every turn as I look back and forth, taking in my bedroom. “How did I get here?”

I try to sit up, but my head immediately swims as Declan hands me a pillow to prop me up.

“You need to take it easy.” His tone is harsh, but I don’t get the sense he’s mad at me.

His eyes watch my every movement like he hates seeing me like this. The same worry stains his expression that I remember from the night he tried to save my life.

Lifting my hand, I stare at my fingers moving slowly, trying to kick my brain out of this fog. Slowly, the night floods back.

Dinner with my parents.

My doctor.

Declan.

And that’s when I see the simple silver band on my ring finger.

“Why am I wearing this?” I spin it around, looking up at Declan. “Why did you keep calling me your wife?”

The more the drugs start to dull, the more panic wells up inside me.

“You need to stay calm for me, okay?” Declan feels my forehead, and I realize how warm I am. “Your body is still processing the drugs.”