Free True Control 4.2 by Willow Madison Page B

bruised. But you’re fine.” He pats the bed. “And your baby is fine.”
    I’m trying to understand what he’s saying.
    “What happened? Why am…” I cough again, splitting pain to head and neck. My right side exploding with hot throbbing pain. He gives me the straw again. I close my eyes and wait for this to subside a little.
    “What’s the last thing you remember?”
    “Max.” Saying his name is a new kind of pain.
    “That’s…that’s your husband?” Why is he looking as white as the sheets on this bed now? I nod, but this only sends shooting pains to my right eye and temple. I lift my fingers to this side and feel gauze and bandages. No wonder I feel like I’m hearing through a thick cotton blanket.
    “You were in an accident. A car accident. You’re fine.” He doesn’t look as young or as sweet. He looks tired and dragged through something smelly now.
    “Where’s my husband…Max?!” I don’t know why my voice sounds so strange, so high, so panicked…well, it’s always high, but still…why is this doctor looking at me…like I’m deranged? This isn’t a movie, doc…just tell me where he is!
    “You were both in the accident and…and your husband didn’t make it…I’m so sorry…”
    I blink. Blink. Blink. Blinkblink.
    “What…what…” I blink the hot tears down my cheeks. “What….Max! Max!” I yell, despite the pain in my head, my body. I scream his name. I know he’ll come running in the room any second. I know he’ll hit this man for lying to me. I know he’ll make everything ok. He has to…he has to…Max!
    I watch as the doctor holds my arms down, he yells something at someone. Something is needled into the bag attached to all the tubes attached to me. I keep yelling. Max will hear me. He’ll come for me…I know he…

Chapter 19 HER
    I don’t open my eyes. I don’t ever want to open my eyes again. I feel warm, strong fingers around my left hand. I move one finger a little and I hear his voice.
    So like Max…but not his…never his again. Tears bubble and spill.
    “Lucy?”
    I let one sob out and feel the heavy bed shake with me. I feel his arms around me, pulling me up to him, crushing me against his strong chest…but not his…never his again.
    I wail. I cry. I scream. It’s not enough. All into his chest. My lips vibrate against his shirt.
    “No! She’s fine…just leave us…go.” I hear his commanding voice through my long tormented cries.
    I don’t stop. I lift my arms, my fingers claws, grabbing at his shirt, holding on. Screaming.
    My throat betrays me, gives up. I keep crying. I keep screaming. I don’t have sound to my wails, just wet sobs and rasping breaths. I keep screaming. One long, continuous wail. One shuddering, shattering cry.
    I feel his arms pushing me back against the pillows again, but he doesn’t let go. I feel his hands pull at mine, taking them off his chest and laying them on my lap, but he doesn’t let go. I feel his warmth, his strength. I cling to it.
    …but not his…never his again.
    I shake and whimper, soundless, tearless, my body too weak to give strength to my pain.
    “Be a good girl…Get some sleep now, Lucy.” I keep my eyes closed. I listen to his soothing sounds. I cling to his voice…and I pretend it’s his.

Chapter 20 HER
    My eyes are open before I realize I’m awake. I cough a little and become more aware of everything.
    I’m alone. The room is darker. I can see the cup with straw and I reach for this, pulling painfully at an IV in my hand, but I can get it.
    My head hurts, my side hurts, my wrist hurts, my throat hurts.
    My heart hurts.
    I start to cry again. A calmer, deeper cry.
    Max. Why did you leave me?! Why?!
    I can’t get the sounds out of my head. No matter how loud I sniffle and cry. I hear the sounds of the accident. Bangs, metal scraping, screaming.
    I’m startled to hear the door open. I try to sniffle and sit up more.
    Jake’s at my side quickly. I try to smile at his deep frown. I try