Page 92 of Serena

“Baby, don’t move. You’re in the hospital.” I hear him call for a doctor. I try to move my head, but it hurts, leaving me wincing at the pain in my stomach. Everything comes rushing back to me. The apartment, the punch to my face, the hunting knife, me stabbing him, blood everywhere. Gus!

“Where’s Gus?” I panic.

“He’s recovering. He was stabbed and knocked unconscious, but he’s going to be fine.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Ian, where-where is he? Lars.”

“Don’t worry, he won’t ever hurt you again. Fuck, Serena. I’m so sorry I wasn't there. I’m so sorry.” He looks utterly broken. I hate seeing him like this.

“There is nothing to forgive. You saved me.”

“No, baby, you saved yourself.”

My voice cracks. “Will you lie with me?” I ask. I need to feel him close.

“Anything my girl wants.” He shuffles next to me and holds me. That's all it takes. I cry. I cry for my past self, who was never able to fight. Because he’s right, I survived. I thought I’d never see him or my friends again.

Ian insisted I stay in the hospital for a couple of days to make sure I was healing properly. I’m so glad Theo brought me some of his yummy food. They stopped by, but Ian kicked them out so I could rest. It was the same with his cousin and sister.

I hear a knock on the door and look up to see Mr. and Mrs. Kayde.

“Oh my goodness, Serena.” Mrs. Kayde rushes to my side. She looks well. There’s more color in her complexion.

“Mrs. Kayde, what are you doing here?”

“Ian told us what happened at your apartment. So, I asked Miguel to bring me. I needed to check and make sure you’re doing well. Or as well as you can be.” I hear her motherly tone. It’s soothing. I notice that she’s lost in her thoughts.

“Mrs. Kayde, are you okay?”

“Call me Abigail, and yes. I was just thinking.”

Mr. Kayde comes close and puts his hand on her shoulder. She looks at her husband with so much love and admiration. She grabs his hand and squeezes it. He bends down and kisses her forehead, making his way to the door. “I’m going to go make sure Ian isn’t driving the hospital staff crazy.”

We sit in silence.

“Serena, Ian told us what happened to you in college. Don't be upset with him.” I look away, ashamed. Bracing myself to be rejected by Ian’s family. “Oh, sweetie.” She carefully wraps her arms around me, pulling back and reaching for my hand. “This isn’t something to face alone. I know what it’s like to feel brokenand live in despair. You know, my father was a cruel man, but to his wife and daughters, he was sadistic. The abuse he inflicted on us. Well, no one should have to endure that cruelty.” I see tears in her eyes. She wipes them away. “Eventually, I left that prison, but at a cost. One that I would pay again. Serena, there is nothing wrong with slaying your own demons, and if you ever need help doing so, let me know.”

Mr. Kayde comes back into the room with an irritated Ian. “Now, can I have her to myself?” Mr. Kayde rolls his eyes.

“Let’s go, love. You need your rest,” he tells his wife. Abigail hugs her son, and they leave.

“Ian, I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, baby.”

“I need you to take me to Stephan Lars. I know he’s still alive. I need to see him.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ian, I need this. Please. I need to move on with my life.”

“Mi Reina, are you sure you’ll be able to handle it?”

“Yes. If I feel like I can't, I promise I’ll tell you.”

He hesitates. “Okay, I’ll take you tomorrow.”

“No, today.”