The tears I’m trying to hold back spill down my cheeks. Oh God! I swipe them away, but they keep falling. Getting to my feet, I dash from the room.
“Alyssa!” Hayden calls after me.
I don’t stop. This is all too much. I should never have come. Being here has only solidified how much I want Hayden and Lily in my life and how I’ll never have it.
“Wait up!” he calls, but I keep running.
When I get to the stairs, I take them two at a time. The too-big shoes slip around my feet, causing me to wobble and stumble. Reaching for the support of the railing, my hands flay about, and I don’t get a grip. I grasp onto nothing but air. My legs lift from under me, and I roll down the stairs. When I hit the ground, the breath is knocked out of me. My chest is crushing the air from my lungs. The pounding in my head is causing black dots to swirl in front of my eyes.
The last thing I see before darkness takes over is Hayden’s face white with fear. Then the lights go out.
Chapter Thirty
HAYDEN
At the hospital, I stare anxiously at the privacy curtain around Alyssa’s bed. Because I’m not family, the doctor asked me to step outside. I haven’t left her side since the ambulance admitted her. It’s killing me that I can’t be with her now.
The fall was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed in my life. When she fumbled for the railing, it was like the world had gone into slow motion and my feet were sinking in quicksand. I couldn’t get to her fast enough. When she went tumbling down the stairs, my heart froze in my chest, shattering when I heard the sickening thud on the concrete below.
The seconds it took to reach her were the longest moments of my life. With her sprawled on the ground, her eyes fluttering closed, I thought I’d lost her. It’s a scene I will never get out of my head.
It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t chased her from the classroom, she wouldn’t be lying injured in a hospital bed.
Not able to sit any longer, I pace the corridor in front of her room, waiting for the doctor to finish examining her. He’s taking too long. There must be something wrong. I don’t care if I’m not family, I need to be with Alyssa and make sure she is okay. Dashing into the room, I whip open the curtain. The doctor and Alyssa’s heads turn toward me with surprised expressions on their faces.
“I’m sorry, sir, I’m not done examining Ms. Martinez. Please wait outside,” Dr. Hofstein says with a disgruntled tone.
Ignoring him, I make my way to Alyssa’s side and hold on to her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The doctor looks to Alyssa for consent.
“It’s okay. He can stay.” She gives the doctor a weak smile.
I breathe a sigh of relief. After everything I’ve put her through, I wouldn’t be shocked if she tosses me out of the room. “How is she?” I ask.
Not for the first time, my gaze scans over her, looking for visible signs of injury. My stomach rolls seeing a bruise and graze on the side of her face. I shudder to think if there is any internal damage.
“She has a concussion and will need plenty of rest. That means no physical activities for at least ten to twelve days. If you need anything for the headache, take ibuprofen, but don’t hesitate to come back to the ER if things aren’t improving. Other than a swollen ankle and a few scrapes and bruises, you are one lucky lady. The fall could have been much worse.”
“Thank you, doctor. When can I leave?” Her voice is weak.
“As soon as the paperwork is done, someone will discharge you.” He nods and starts to leave.
“Shouldn’t she stay overnight for observation? What if you’re missing something?” I want her to have the best care and make sure they are one-hundred percent positive she is fit to leave.
“Her scans are clear. There’s nothing to be worried about. Like I said, if things don’t improve or get worse, come straight back.”
He turns to leave again. Once more, I stop him. “Doctor, before you go, I’m concerned about something.”
A white, bushy eyebrow raises above his left eye. “What might that be?”
“There’s a chance Alyssa might be pregnant. Could the fall have caused harm to the baby?”
The doctor whips his gaze toward Alyssa. “You never mentioned a possible pregnancy. How far along might you be?”
Alyssa rolls her eyes at me. “If I am, it’s early. But I’m not.” She places a hand on her belly. Is she subconsciously sensing something? I wait for the fear to grip me. When it doesn’t, I’m left wondering why it doesn’t scare the crap out of me like it normally does.
“Just to be sure, I’ll send a nurse in to take your blood.” He goes on to ask her questions about her last period, the date of conception, and any symptoms she might be having. I’m shocked to hear her say that the past two days she has had tender boobs and nausea—which she assumed was due to nerves.